Webb Simpson and his caddie Paul Tesori had a tough third round at the Dell Technologies Championship. The U.S. Ryder Cupper went into the day in the solo lead but faded quickly with three front-nine bogeys. He ran into trouble down the stretch, too, making double at 15 and adding another bogey at 16 to fall well off the pace.
The duo were having a difficult enough day inside the ropes. But some choice comments from a spectator at the final hole caught Tesori’s attention. After Simpson hit his approach shot on the par-5 18th, Tesori went to confront the heckler. NBC’s cameras captured the showdown. The Budweiser-wielding agitator, easy to spot in an orange Under Armour polo, did little to defend himself. As Tesori approached he changed his tune, lowering his gaze and shaking his head in response. One Twitter user captured the exchange:
— AJP (@pricey43) September 2, 2018
TV analyst Roger Maltbie reported that the heckler had been sarcastically yelling at Simpson about what a “great day” he was having. Instead it was the heckler’s day that took a turn for the worse. Tesori called for a police officer and appeared to request the spectator’s ejection.
Tesori received plenty of support on social media afterwards from golf fans panning the heckler’s behavior. Simpson will begin the final round at six under par, seven shots off the lead. You can see a selection of the feedback below.
Love it. Spectator heckles Webb Simpson, so Paul Tesori walks over to the gallery ropes and reduces the guy to just shaking his head and staring at his feet. Didn’t seem like he wanted to say much once the caddie addressed the situation.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) September 2, 2018
A heckle in three acts:
I. Disruption
II. Confrontation
III. Shame
(Props to @PaulTesori for ripping this jackass a new one.) pic.twitter.com/kVTHMokrEW— Alan Bastable (@alan_bastable) September 2, 2018
Who the f goes to a golf tournament, drinks too many steve-weisers, and heckles Webb Simpson?? Time to start evaluating your life big man.
— Fake Poulter (@fakePOULTER) September 3, 2018
Well done @PaulTesori . Get that guy out of there. I’m so over spectators getting completely out of hand at golf tournaments.
— Dawn Venosa Mannix (@DawnMannix) September 2, 2018
Hats off to @PaulTesori for calling out the heckler! No use for guys like that, he shouldn’t be allowed to attend @PGATOUR events.
— Scott Wilson (@scwilson8) September 2, 2018
Tyrrell Hatton, Simpson’s playing partner, waited to hit until the situation was resolved. But he appeared unbothered by the distraction: he very nearly holed his approach shot.
Could not be any closer to going in …@TyrrellHatton‘s reaction is perfect. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/cIbTzdAyn4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 2, 2018
