What started as a $100 offer for disruption ended with handcuffs looming and a lifetime ban. Jack Doherty’s attempt at viral content backfired spectacularly when PGA Tour security at the WM Phoenix Open didn’t find his antics amusing.

The incident unfolded during Friday’s second round at TPC Scottsdale’s iconic 16th hole, when Canadian pro Mackenzie Hughes was about to hit his shot. Doherty openly encouraged spectators to yell “jack—” during Hughes’ backswing, offering $100. This was designed purely for social media engagement. When a fan complied, tournament officials and police responded immediately.

A Scottsdale Police Department officer confronted Doherty on-site, making the consequences crystal clear. He was escorted off the premises and issued a trespassing order, not just for the WM Phoenix Open but for every future PGA Tour event.

“Don’t play this game with me, okay? We know exactly what you’re doing,” the policeman said.

The officer’s warning was unambiguous: returning before the tournament’s end would result in arrest and prosecution. The incident, captured on video and shared by NUCLR Golf, has garnered over 129,000 views, sparking heated debate about influencer behavior at professional sporting events.

“Alright, guys, I just got banned from all PGA Tour events because of that guy [points at the officer] and all these cops right here. I don’t give a s*** that I can’t go to a boring golfing event for the rest of my life,” Doherty said.

Well, it’s not the first time the 22-year-old has been banned from the events.

Kick briefly restored Doherty’s account on January 9, 2025, after first calling his ban “permanent.” This was probably because of talks among platform leaders and community reactions. But nine days later, he was banned again after a physical fight between him, his security guards, and a heckler that was streamed live. This was a violation of the rules for on-platform behavior and safety.

And interestingly, it was the second time he got banned.

Jack Doherty was banned from the livestreaming site Kick in early October 2024 after he crashed his McLaren 570S while streaming live from a highway in Miami. The crash, which was streamed live, reportedly happened when he looked down at his phone while it was raining, causing a hydroplane and a collision that hurt his cameraman and broke Kick’s safety and community standards.

Apart from the sidelines chaos at the course, the golfers made sure that no one turned off their TVs as Round 2 kept them stuck.

Leaderboard battles in the valley of noise at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open

Even though the gallery was very loud and unique from the 16th hole on, the golf at the WM Phoenix Open was very real and very competitive. In Round 2, Ryo Hisatsune shot a 63 to take the lead in Scottsdale. He stayed calm and precise even when the noise was at its highest. He kept hitting the ball well even when he was under pressure.

Hideki Matsuyama kept up with a strong 64, showing that top players can do well in the Valley of Fire. Birdies came quickly and often, and even though the crowd was loud, Matsuyama kept his rhythm. The leaderboard below him stayed close, making for an exciting battle in the middle of the tournament.

Pierceson Coody and Chris Gotterup stayed close, and the scoreboard filled with red numbers as both of them scored well. Scottie Scheffler, on the other hand, shot 73 and 65 while dealing with both adversity and the crowd. He was a few shots behind but still in the top tier. His tough finish showed that he was calm under pressure.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie Hughes, the very player disrupted on the 16th hole, finished Round 2 with a 2-under 69, carding a bogey on the infamous 18th. Despite the distraction, Hughes shot 34 on the back nine, proving his composure remained intact when it mattered most.

Even though things went wrong, TPC Scottsdale still gave us great golf where it counted. Jack Doherty’s ban got a lot of press, but Hisatsune and Matsuyama showed that in this sport, talent is what really gets people talking.