WATCH: Pat Perez leaves fan bleeding
Pat Perez has been heavily criticised by fellow PGA Tour professionals and fans alike after the American hit several errant shots into the galleries during the final round of the Genesis Open – one of which left a fan bleeding heavily from his head.
Perez watched his ball sail well right of the fairway at the par 4 12th but refused to shout “Fore!”
Pat Perez just hit a guy square in the dome pic.twitter.com/E4YBxfaiBn
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 19, 2017
Unbelievably, Perez then hit another spectator with his tee shot at 15:
Pat Perez is just picking people off one by one pic.twitter.com/hvkjWe7Ou2
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) February 19, 2017
The subject of warning the crowd has been a much debated topic with the European Tour having to remind their players last November that if they didn’t they could face discipline.
Many fans and players alike were angered by the fact that 40-year-old Perez hadn’t warned those watching of his errant shots, including Irishman Shane Lowry:
What's it gonna take for players to start shouting fore. A signed ball or glove is no good to anyone if they are seriously injured???
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) February 19, 2017
Pretty average behaviour from pat Perez . Show a little courtesy to the people who have paid to watch you.#pgatour#sortitout
— Martin (@higs37) February 20, 2017
@PatPerezGolf out of order not shouting " fore " about time you pros started doing it.people can get badly injured
— sy scratchgolfer (@simona1golf) February 20, 2017
@PatPerezGolf try calling four next time ,really poor showing, if you think your to good too at least get your caddy to do it
— Ryanbeard (@Beardy112) February 19, 2017
@PatPerezGolf any danger of you shouting fore?? A signed glove or a ball is no consolation for a ball whacking you in head. 3 holes out of 4
— Rich Hendy (@rhendy_mufc_20) February 19, 2017
Is it time the PGA Tour introduced tougher sanctions for players who fail to notify the crowd of a wayward shot?
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.