Ian Poulter Responds After Shocking US Open Fan Behaviour

The European Ryder Cup hero was targeted by fans at the US Open in New York

Ian Poulter Responds After Shocking US Open Fan Behaviour
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The European Ryder Cup hero was targeted by fans at the US Open in New York

Ian Poulter Responds After Shocking US Open Fan Behaviour

Whilst he may now live in America, Ian Poulter has an interesting relationship with the US fans.

Interesting in the sense that they love to abuse him, and that was prominent once again at the US Open.

Poulter was consistently verbally abused over the weekend with fans shouting at him and even laughing when he missed putts.

On the 15th hole on Saturday, his ball was being willed off the green by fans who then laughed when it rolled down into a collection area.

This video below also shows fans laughing at a missed Poulter putt:

New York fans are infamous for their brash behaviour at golf tournaments and this past week's US Open was one of the loudest we've ever seen.

From "get in the hole" to "baba booey", "dilly dilly" and even "Philly f*&%ing cheesesteak, let's go baby", the fans were boisterous and clearly having a great time - although some crossed the line, especially in Poulter's case.

Ian Poulter responded to the abuse he got at Shinnecock Hills on Twitter, saying the 2024 Ryder Cup (at Bethpage, just down the road from Shinnecock) could become a little silly, like the US Open.

US golf photographer Streeter Lecker wished he could apologise on behalf of the 'supposed' fans:

Poulter responded to a tweet from Golf Digest's Alex Myers on why his treatment from the US fans is so different to what Andrew 'Beef' Johnston gets.

He suggested Beef, who is a cult hero Stateside, would get more flack had he won 4 out of 5 Ryder Cups, and also rightly points out that all Americans will be treated respect next month at The Open at Carnoustie.

Poulter is just the latest pro to speak out against loud (or rude, in this case) US fans.

Rory McIlroy called for alcohol sales to be limited at PGA Tour events.

Speaking at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he said he almost confronted a man in the crowd.

“There was one guy out there who kept yelling my wife’s name; I was going to go over and have a chat with him, but, yeah, I don’t know, I think it’s gotten a little much, to be honest,” he said.

“I think that they need to limit the alcohol sales on the course, or they need to do something, because every week it seems like guys are complaining about it more."

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World number two Justin Thomas has also spoken out about rowdy fans in 2018.

Speaking at the Genesis Open at Riviera, Thomas said, “It was pretty wild this first couple days. It was alright for a little bit today, but there at the end it got a little out of hand.

 “I guess it’s a part of it now, unfortunately. I wish it wasn’t. I wish people didn’t think it was so amusing to yell and all that stuff while we’re trying to hit shots and play.

“But when people are now starting to time it wrong and get in people’s swings, is just completely unacceptable really.

What do you think of the treatment Ian Poulter gets from the fans? Let us know your thoughts on our social media channels

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV