Criticism Mounts Over Fan Behavior at U.S. Open
Following the recent U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, a prominent golf analyst has voiced strong disapproval of the conduct of some attendees from Long Island, New York, suggesting the region’s golf fans are “a stain on the game.” Eamon Lynch, a commentator for a major sports network, expressed his view that major golf championships should perhaps avoid returning to Long Island given the incidents witnessed at the storied course.
Lynch articulated his stance during a broadcast following Wyndham Clark’s second career U.S. Open victory. He contended that Long Island golf fans “do not deserve” to witness another major tournament at any of its renowned venues, including Bethpage Black, which recently hosted the Ryder Cup.
Heckling and Disruption Mar the Championship
A focal point of Lynch’s criticism involved fan interactions with U.S. Open leader Wyndham Clark. On Sunday, authorities reportedly removed patrons from Shinnecock Hills due to their heckling of Clark during the final round. Spectators were overheard shouting taunts such as “Don’t choke Wyndham” and “Get in the bunker.”
“This isn’t a New York problem,” Lynch stated, differentiating the behavior from that observed at other prestigious venues. “It doesn’t happen at Winged Foot, doesn’t happen at Baltusrol on the other side of the Hudson River. It happens on Long Island every single time.”
A Pattern of Unruly Behavior
The PGA of America has scheduled the PGA Championship for Bethpage Black in 2033. This course has previously been the site of disruptive fan behavior, as seen during last summer’s Ryder Cup. Rory McIlroy and other members of Team Europe faced taunts and heckling that reportedly interfered with the competition. McIlroy was observed stepping away from his shot to respond to a heckler, and fellow player Shane Lowry also reacted to the disturbances. Adding to the negative atmosphere, McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, had a beer thrown at her while walking the course during Team Europe’s victory celebration.
At the time, McIlroy commented on the incidents, stating, “I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”
While the U.S. Open this past week did not see the same level of egregious actions, Lynch maintains that Long Island golf fans have exhibited a “repetitive” and “predictable” pattern of behavior that makes hosting high-stakes tournaments problematic.
Proposals for a Higher Standard
Lynch characterized some of the disruptive fans as “drunk crypto bros who buy a ticket with Daddy’s credit card,” suggesting a sense of privilege among them. He proposed that golf could learn from Augusta National Golf Club’s approach to The Masters, citing its strict policies.
“Maybe golf in its entirety needs to take the August National model,” Lynch suggested. “No phones, no tolerance, no second chance.”
Wyndham Clark, despite leading much of the U.S. Open, found himself in the unenviable position of being perceived as a villain by some in the crowd. Lynch emphasized that regardless of a player’s past actions, such as Clark’s history of throwing clubs and a previous ban from Oakmont, the decorum expected of patrons at major championships is paramount. He concluded that, in his view, Long Island fans are failing to uphold these standards.
