Controversial YouTuber Jack Doherty barred from PGA Tour events after Phoenix Open disruption | Golf
A controversial livestreamer has been indefinitely banned from attending PGA Tour events after being barred from the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a person familiar with the matter told the Guardian, although the tour declined to publicly confirm any specific disciplinary action.
Security and law enforcement removed Jack Doherty from the tournament grounds Friday after he appeared to pay a spectator to scream during a player’s pre-shot routine, according to videos circulating online and accounts of the incident.
“The WM Phoenix Open is a must-see event offering one of the most unique fan experiences in all of sport,” said a PGA Tour spokesperson. “The PGA Tour and the Thunderbirds are committed to protecting the integrity of competition and providing an exceptional experience for all fans. Disruptive fan behavior will not be tolerated and anyone violating the fan code of conduct will be immediately ejected.
“We appreciate the quick action of tournament security and local law enforcement to identify and address disruptive behavior.”
Doherty, a 22-year-old streamer known for filming confrontational public pranks, with titles such as “I Collided With a Cop Car” and “I Got Banned from Disney,” has amassed a huge online following through his livestreams of high-energy stunts and reactions, content that platforms’ algorithms often amplify because it generates high engagement through confrontation and unpredictability.
He was ejected from the tournament field after appearing to encourage a spectator to scream as Mackenzie Hughes attempted to play out of a bunker, according to online videos. Security officers quickly intervened to identify those involved and remove them from the area.
Some media outlets and social media posts later claimed that Doherty had been banned for life from PGA Tour events. The tour has not publicly confirmed the scope or duration of any restrictions.
Hughes later suggested the interruption had little impact, saying security responded quickly and that while such moments were unwelcome, crowd behavior at the Phoenix Open had at times tested the limits of traditional golf etiquette.
Footage circulating online also appeared to show a tournament official informing Doherty that he would not be allowed to attend PGA Tour events for the foreseeable future.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open, held annually at TPC Scottsdale and by far the most attended golf tournament, is one of the loudest stops on the PGA Tour calendar. Much of that reputation has to do with the stadium-style 16th hole, where thousands of well-lubricated fans fill the stands in an atmosphere more akin to a football match than a golf tournament. In 2024, the doors were temporarily closed and alcohol sales were briefly halted due to overcrowding.
The episode highlights a broader challenge facing professional sports leagues, as venues balance open fan access with an era in which spectators can instantly stream and monetize in-house event interactions. Although fan filming has long been common, some leagues have begun to review their policies regarding live streaming, harassment and behavior designed specifically to generate viral content.
This shift has manifested itself elsewhere in professional sports, including recent incidents at WNBA games in which sex toys were thrown onto the court.
