Golf is meant to be a game played in fine spirits and with great sportmanship but every so often, things get the point of frustration and emotions well and truly take over.
That goes right from the amateur game up to the PGA Tour and over the years, we’ve seen numerous moments of expression from broken clubs, balls launched into water, and issues with fans.
Indeed, just last week we saw Rory McIlroy confront a heckling fan, while Collin Morikawa has come under fire for not doing media duties after losing at the Arnold Palmer.
On the course, though, is where golfers can really make themselves look either passionate or sometimes, downright silly.
And on this occasion at The Valspar Championship, Patton Kizzire has made himself look the latter.
Golf fans slam Patton Kizzire as he withdraws from the Valspar after putter ‘punt’
Everyone has been there. A missed putt just slides by or a chip shot goes thin and the first thing you think of is throwing or kicking your club.
On the PGA Tour, though, these occasions are rare, with players knowing they’re under the spotlight and cameras are on them at all times.
For Patton Kizzire, it’s his turn to come under fire. Kizzire missed a putt in round one at the Valspar before – rather impressively – punting his putter way up in the air before it landed on the other side of the green with force.
But while some might be impressed by Kizzire’s moment of madness, golf fans slammed him for being unprofessionial while worst still, he then withdrew from the event with an apparent bad back.
Over on social media, one fan labelled Kizzire as ‘classless’ for his antics, while another wanted him banned.
“Should be banned for at least six tournaments. An insult to greenkeepers and a dreadful example to kids.“
Another fan suggested punishing Kizzire with whatever is equal to misisng a cut in terms of OWGR points.
While the complaints continued for Kizzire, with another saying he does not care for those youngsters watching on.
“He obviously doesn’t care what example he sets for junior golfers around the world!”
Another said he ‘hated’ seeing the behaviour, while another golf lover questioned his professionalism.
“Professional? Should be severely sanctioned for that”
Will Patton Kizzire be fined by the PGA Tour?
The short answer here is yes. Patton Kizzire will likely face some sort of monetary penalty from the PGA Tour as they simply don’t want to see this on TOUR.
Indeed, former Masters winner Mark Calcavecchia also suggested a fine is incoming as he reacted to the incident on X.
“He’ll get fined. Then He’ll appeal claiming faulty putter and bad green. Or somebody was heckling him. I know this stuff. 19 fines myself and got outta of several”
Kizzire himself has yet to address the outburst but given the scrutiny, he’ll no doubt be pressed on proceedings the next time he turns up to a PGA Tour event.
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