Zach Johnson tears into Phoenix Open in ’emotional’ rant

Zach Johnson claimed he was “done with everything” as he laid his feelings bare about an ugly Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The former US Ryder Cup captain was one of the players involved in altercations with fans as tensions boiled over during a chaotic week at TPC Scottsdale.

Carnage outside the ropes marred Nick Taylor’s sensational play-off victory over Charley Hoffman and there is no concern about what comes next for the historic tournament.

Johnson lost his temper in Sunday’s final round and was heard hitting back in an angry exchange with a spectator. “I’m just sick of it! Shut up!” the two-time major champion shouted.

• Opinion: Ugly Phoenix Open must change after drunken mess

• Zach Johnson in furious bust-up with fans at TPC Scottsdale

And Johnson then vented his frustrations about the state of the event in a fascinating post-round interview with Arizona Central sports reporter Theo Mackie.

The 47-year-old told Mackie that he assumes tournament bosses are “ashamed” with the chaos that ensued, while questioning if he will return to the showpiece in the future.

Here's my full conversation with Johnson, in which he explained his feelings on the tournament: pic.twitter.com/NMsaYUeJpA

— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) February 12, 2024

“This tournament has been inappropriate and crossed the line since I’ve been on Tour and this is my 21st year,” Johnson said. “I don’t have to play if I don’t want to but I keep coming back.”

“At some point — I don’t know what the line is, but you have people falling out of the rafters, you have fights in the stands. It’s to the point where now, how do you reel it in? Because it’s taken on a life of its own,” Johnson said.

• “S**tshow” – Pro blasts fan behaviour at Phoenix Open

• CHAOS at TPC Scottsdale as officials forced to shut gates

“I think the Thunderbirds probably need to do something about it. I’m assuming they’re ashamed. Because at some point, somebody’s either gonna really, really get hurt or worse. You’ve got a woman falling down 20 feet.

“I don’t have any idea of if I’m gonna come back or not. You’re hitting me at a very emotional point right now so if I were to say if I’m gonna come back, I’d probably say no. But at the same time, I have no idea.”

When Johnson, who finished T60, was asked by Mackie why he was emotional, he replied: “Because I just played 54 holes in two days and I’m beat. And extremely — I’m done. I’m done with it. I’m done with everything.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.