LIV golf star Bryson DeChambeau was booed on the first tee before his third round at the US PGA.
The 2020 US Open champion is in contention to win his second Major title after rounds of 66 and 71 at Oak Hill.
But the Texan is not a crowd favourite in New York State as his name was booed as it was announced on the first tee. His playing partner Brooks Koepka, who also plays on the Saudi-backed breakaway league, was greeted by a mix of cheers and boos.
CBS commentator Jim Nantz said: “This is interesting. We have two guys who play on a different tour. Not a warm welcome. I have not heard that in all the events back to last summer.”
DeChambeau hit his opening tee shot 299 yards down the middle of the fairway and a fan yelled out: “Booom!" Rowdy New York fans also cheered when Scottie Scheffler pulled his approach to the second hole into a greenside bunker in the heavy rain.
At last year’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills, one well-served fan screamed at Patrick Reed: “Mix in a salad!" Sergio Garcia was mercilessly heckled at the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Black - and showed his middle finger in response.
And Koepka claimed he liked getting booed after he won the 2019 US PGA at the same venue.
"It's incredible,” said the four-time Major winner. “These fans are very energetic. New York's always got some of the best fans. It's a true sporting town. It's fun to play in front of them. I enjoy it. I enjoy hearing the cheers. It's actually kind of fun hearing some of the boos, too, when you miss a short one. You pretty much deserve that.”
DeChambeau is no stranger to controversy as he added 40 pounds of muscle during lockdown to help his power game - and claimed Augusta National was a par-67 to him because he could hit short clubs into the long holes.
He was also playfully booed on the first tee at the 2021 Open at Royal St George’s when he opted to hit an iron instead of his driver.
By contrast, fellow LIV star Phil Mickelson is the fan darling in New York and enjoyed a big gallery even in the heavy rain.
His playing partner Tyrrell Hatton said: “It was good playing with him - we had a nice crowd out there and they were cheering him on the whole way round. Phil is a legend of the game and I loved watching him play as a kid and now playing alongside him is cool. I enjoyed my day.”
