YouTuber Banned From PGA Tour After Heckling Prank

Jack Doherty allegedly paid a fan to disrupt a golfer's pre-shot routine at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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YouTube personality Jack Doherty has been banned from future PGA Tour events after allegedly paying a fan to yell and disrupt golfer Mackenzie Hughes' pre-shot routine during the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The tour has not officially confirmed the ban, but videos show security ejecting Doherty and the fan involved in the incident.

Why it matters

The Doherty episode highlights the growing challenge for sports leagues in maintaining order and decorum as fans increasingly try to create viral moments, often in disruptive ways, through live streaming and social media. The PGA Tour has strict codes of conduct to prevent such behavior, which can impact player performance and the overall fan experience.

The details

During the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, a fan yelled "jacka--" as Hughes was preparing to swing from a bunker. Security quickly intervened, ejecting the fan and Doherty, who allegedly paid the fan to create the disruption. While the PGA Tour has not officially confirmed a ban, videos show officials telling Doherty he would be blocked from future tournaments.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, February 7, 2026 during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The players

Jack Doherty

A 22-year-old YouTube personality known for prank-heavy, confrontation-driven livestreams who allegedly paid a fan to disrupt a golfer's pre-shot routine at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Mackenzie Hughes

A professional golfer who was preparing to swing from a bunker when a fan yelled "jacka--" during his pre-shot routine at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

PGA Tour

The professional golf tour that has not officially confirmed a ban on Jack Doherty but has stated that disruptive behavior from fans will not be tolerated, citing the tour's fan code of conduct.

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What they’re saying

“Honestly, I didn't lose much sleep over it. My caddie and the security staff were all pretty prompt to kick whoever it was out. Then I hit my shot, and that was it. It was done quickly. I mean, it happens at this tournament sometimes.”

— Mackenzie Hughes, Professional Golfer (New York Times)

“In a statement following Friday's incident, a PGA Tour spokesperson praised security and law enforcement for their response and stressed that disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, citing the tour's fan code of conduct.”

— PGA Tour Spokesperson (newser.com)

What’s next

The PGA Tour has not publicly confirmed the length of any potential ban on Jack Doherty, but officials were seen telling him he would be blocked from future tournaments.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing challenge for sports leagues in maintaining order and decorum as fans increasingly try to create viral moments through disruptive behavior. The PGA Tour's strict fan code of conduct is designed to prevent such incidents, which can impact player performance and the overall fan experience.