Spectators warned to behave at WM Phoenix Open
Fans who throw objects on to the course have been warned that they will be ejected from this week's WM Phoenix Open.
The tournament at TPC Scottsdale is easily the best attended in golf, but the behaviour of some fans reached a new low during last year's weather-affected event.
One man was arrested after jumping over the ropes and diving into a greenside bunker on the par-three 16th, where he proceeded to perform 'snow angels' in the sand.
Tournament officials were forced to shut spectator gates earlier than planned after being overwhelmed by the turnout and sales of alcohol were temporarily halted.
Ahead of this week's event, signs have been posted in the large grandstands stating "No throwing items onto course", along with the slogan "You throw, you go".
Tournament chairman Matt Mooney said in December that the tournament would have a "zero-tolerance policy" for bad behaviour and an increased police presence.
"Our general admission fans will have to click on a code of conduct acknowledgement and we're going to have a zero-tolerance policy for people that cross those procedures," Mooney said.
"Unfortunately, there's a small segment of our society that wants to create these viral moments and it's to the detriment of the event, the detriment of the other fans and most importantly the athletes themselves."
Former Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel exchanged angry words with spectators as tempers frayed on the final day last year, but Horschel insists he is not in favour of major changes.
"It got to a point where it just got a little too crazy out here. It was getting a little too much," Horschel told Golf Channel.
"I don't think they (tournament organisers) needed to pull back a lot, they just needed to do some subtle