In a year in which spectators have made more headlines than ever for their hooting and hollering at tour events, we might’ve just had our most high-profile situation out of all of them at Carnoustie’s Home hole. As Tiger Woods was at the top of his backswing on the 72nd hole, a fan yelled loudly, at a moment when Tiger needed birdie to join Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose in the clubhouse at 6-under. Tiger flinched as he made impact, but quite impressively, still hit a good tee shot up the right side.
And though this drama won’t get quite as much attention because a birdie from Tiger wouldn’t have been enough to match Francesco Molinari’s stellar play, becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year, it’s worth examining a bit more, as it’s not the first time fans have gotten under the skin of tour players this year.
We’ve had the “mashed potatoes!” and “Baby Booey!” yelling crowds in the past, but never in such a crucial moment – at least on display as it was on Sunday at Carnoustie – has a fan yelled in such a way as to potentially help determine the outcome of play.
Here’s the scene (scroll past the initial tweet to the video):
https://twitter.com/_MarcusD2_/status/1021083349400551425
And a closer look at Tiger’s reaction (scroll past the initial tweet to the video):
https://twitter.com/_MarcusD2_/status/1021083598798061571
The expression says it all:
