A controversial livestreamer has been barred from attending PGA Tour events indefinitely after being trespassed from the Waste Management Phoenix Open, according to a person familiar with the matter, 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.
Scottsdale police said officers responded around 4.30pm on Friday to assist PGA Tour staff and tournament security as Doherty was trespassed from the event.
Police said the trespass decision was made by PGA Tour officials and that officers were present to support security if Doherty refused to leave the property. Police did not issue a citation, written trespass notice or make an arrest.
“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 a large online following through 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 behaviour 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 future PGA Tour events.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open, staged annually at TPC Scottsdale and by some distance golf’s best-attended tournament, 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 fans pack grandstands in an atmosphere closer to a football game than a traditional 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 monetise interactions from inside events. While fan filming has long been common, some leagues have begun reviewing policies around livestreaming, harassment and behaviour 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 tournament’s general manager declined to provide additional comment beyond the PGA Tour’s statement.
