A controversial livestreamer has been barred from attending PGA Tour events indefinitely after being removed from the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a person familiar with the matter told the Guardian, though the tour has declined to publicly confirm any specific disciplinary action.
Security and law enforcement removed Jack Doherty from the tournament grounds on Friday after he appeared to pay a spectator to shout during a player’s pre-shot routine, according to videos circulating online and accounts of the incident.
“The WM Phoenix Open is a bucket-list event with one of the most unique fan experiences in all of sport,” a tour spokesperson said. “The PGA Tour and the Thunderbirds are committed to protecting the integrity of the competition and providing an exceptional experience for all fans. Disruptive fan behavior will not be tolerated and anyone violating the Fan Code of Conduct is subject to immediate ejection.
“We appreciate the swift 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 including “I crashed into a cop car” and “I got banned from Disney”, has amassed an enormous online following thanks to his high-energy stunt and reaction livestreams, content that platform algorithms often amplify because it generates strong engagement through confrontation and unpredictability.
He was removed from the tournament grounds after appearing to encourage a spectator to shout as Mackenzie Hughes attempted to play out of a bunker, according to online videos. Security staff quickly moved in to identify those involved and remove them from the area.
Some outlets and social media posts later claimed Doherty, who has nearly 30 million subscribers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Kick, had been issued a lifetime ban from PGA Tour events. The tour has not publicly confirmed the scope or duration of any restriction.
Hughes later suggested the interruption had little impact, saying security responded quickly and that while such moments are unwelcome, crowd behavior at the Phoenix Open has occasionally tested the boundaries of golf’s traditional etiquette.
Footage circulating online also appeared to show a tournament official informing Doherty that he would not be permitted to attend PGA Tour events for the foreseeable future.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open, staged annually at TPC Scottsdale and golf’s best-attended tournament by some distance, is one of the most raucous stops on the PGA Tour calendar. Much of that reputation is tied to the stadium-style 16th hole, where thousands of well-lubricated fans pack grandstands in an atmosphere closer to a football game than a golf tournament. In 2024 gates were temporarily closed and alcohol sales briefly halted because of overcrowding.
The episode underscores a broader challenge facing professional sports leagues as venues balance open fan access with an era in which spectators can instantly broadcast and monetize interactions from inside events. While fan filming has long been common, some leagues have begun reviewing policies around livestreaming, harassment and behavior designed specifically to generate viral content.
The shift has surfaced elsewhere in professional sport, including recent incidents at WNBA games in which sex toys were thrown on to the court.
The general manager for the WM Phoenix Open and the Scottsdale police department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Guardian.
