Former U.S. Masters champion and current Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson was in trouble Friday after allegedly telling a crowd at Augusta National to “fuck it up,” Golf Digest reported.
Before the alleged incident, there were semi-sarcastic cheers when Johnson holed out with a triple-bogey six on the 12th tee. golf digest report. The newspaper said such cheers seemed to suggest that patrons were saying, “He’s finally finished.”
The video shows Johnson, visibly upset, turning to the tee and telling patrons to “fuck off.”
According to the paper, unless a golfer owns a green jacket like Johnson, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to get away with swearing at Augusta National. (Related: Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel argue with fans at WM Phoenix Open)
Zach Johnson tries to deny that he told his guests to “fuck you” after missing his putt on the 12th yesterday (video shows him after the guests cheered when he missed the putt) It is shown that he clearly saw the guests and yelled at them to “fuck you.” )
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) April 13, 2024
When asked about the comment in an interview after Friday’s round, Johnson denied that it was directed at patrons, according to the newspaper.
After Johnson asked, “What are they saying I did or said?” the reporter said, according to Golf Digest, “They reported that you swore at some patrons. “I’m being told,” he reportedly replied.
“I swore to my patrons? That’s hilarious,” Johnson said. “That’s totally laughable. I can’t hear the patrons, number one. Number 2: I just made a triple bogey on the 12th hole and obviously I’m going to miss the cut. I knew it was pretty sensitive in the sense that I needed to keep taking things. If I said something, I’m not going to deny it, especially if it’s on camera, but the first one is I apologize. Second, I can’t hear anything in the background, so it was totally directed at myself. Does that make sense?”
Johnson is no stranger to controversy, having made similar disparaging remarks at the Ryder Cup in early 2024 and at TPC Scottsdale, Golf Digest reported.
“You son of a bitch. I never had any special feelings about Zach Johnson, that was until the Ryder Cup.” Barstool Sports” Bobby Regan wrote. “During the Ryder Cup, I was furious with Zach Johnson. Then Scottsdale happened…but now we’re talking about 12 at Augusta…and Zach Johnson can’t stand the applause. ! We’re not talking about jeers, shouting matches, or applause, sarcastic or otherwise.”
