The PGA Tour isn’t playing games when it comes to protecting the integrity of its events-and this week, it made that crystal clear.
Streamer Jack Doherty, a 22-year-old internet personality known for pushing the envelope, has been handed a lifetime ban from all PGA Tour tournaments. The decision came after an incident at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Friday that crossed the line from disruptive to unacceptable.
Here’s what went down: Doherty allegedly paid a spectator $100 to yell “Jacka$$” during Mackenzie Hughes’ backswing-a moment in golf where silence is not just tradition, it’s sacred. The outburst immediately drew attention. Security and law enforcement responded quickly, escorting Doherty out of the venue despite his insistence that he hadn’t personally said anything.
But the PGA Tour wasn’t interested in parsing semantics. An official on-site made the consequences crystal clear: “If you come back here again before this tournament is over, you will be arrested. In addition to that, I’m trespassing you from all future PGA Tour tournaments.”
That wasn’t just a warning-it was a firm line in the sand. The official reiterated that any future appearance at a PGA Tour event would lead to immediate arrest “for the foreseeable future until we can work this out.”
This isn’t Doherty’s first brush with controversy. Just a couple of months ago, he sparked chaos at the Anthony Joshua vs.
Jake Paul fight in December, allegedly instigating a melee before fleeing the scene. That incident, combined with his latest stunt in Phoenix, paints a pattern of behavior that’s increasingly incompatible with the standards of professional sports events.
And while Doherty’s antics might play well on social media, the PGA Tour made it clear that its events are not a stage for stunts. The response from fans?
Overwhelming support for the Tour’s decision. Many praised the quick action, emphasizing that the responsibility for the incident falls squarely on Doherty’s shoulders.
“He created this problem for himself,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Bro is just getting banned everywhere he goes.” Some reactions were more heated, calling for accountability and a serious reality check.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is known for its rowdy atmosphere-especially at the infamous 16th hole-but even that has its limits. There’s a difference between passionate fandom and outright disruption, and Doherty’s behavior clearly crossed that line.
Bottom line: The PGA Tour isn’t interested in being a backdrop for viral content at the expense of its players’ focus and the integrity of the game. And with this lifetime ban, it sent a strong message-respect the sport, or don’t show up at all.