PGA Tour golfer shrugs off YouTuber's $100 backswing prank

PGA Tour golfer Mackenzie Hughes has shrugged off being heckled during the second round of the WM Phoenix Open. 

Controversial YouTube streamer Jack Doherty was removed from TPC Scottsdale on Friday after he paid a spectator $100 to shout the word "jackass" during the Canadian's backswing. 

Doherty and the guilty party were immediately approached and removed by tournament officials in footage that was widely condemned by golf fans online. 

The 22-year-old streamer, who has more than 15m followers across his social media platforms, has since uploaded a video saying the people hating on him a "soft as f---" after his "harmless prank". 

Hughes, who made the cut, told The Athletic's Gabby Herzig that he saw the video and "didn't lose much sleep over it". 

"It happens at tournaments sometimes," he said. "My caddie and the security staff were all pretty prompt to kick out whoever it was out.

"I feel like I wasn't really much of the story. I just happened to be the guy that was there. I'm not much of a social media guy, so I had no idea who it was."

Doherty has been banned from attending all PGA Tour events for the foreseeable future.

As he left the Stadium Course, Doherty told his followers that doesn't care that he won't be able to go "a boring golfing event for the rest of my life". 

A PGA Tour spokesperson said of the incident: "The WM Phoenix Open is a bucket-list event with one of the most unique fan experiences in all of sport.

"The PGA Tour and The Thunderbirds are committed to protecting the integrity of the competition and providing an exceptional experience for all fans. 

"Disruptive fan behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone violating the Fan Code of Conduct is subject to immediate ejection.

"We appreciate the swift action of tournament security and local law enforcement to identify and address disruptive behaviour."

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama held a one-shot lead over Ryo Hisastune, Si Woo Kim, Nicolai Hojgaard and Maverick McNealy after 54 holes of the WM Phoenix Open. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler was faced with a battle to make the cut after day one, but responded with rounds of 65 and 67 to get into contention.