Zach Johnson Explains Viral Moment When He Appeared to Direct Profanity Toward Masters Fans

Tom Dierberger | Apr 12, 2024

Rob Schumacher, Rob Schumacher / USA

Zach Johnson found himself in hot water on social media Friday during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament.

Johnson, who won the Masters in 2007, appeared to yell profanity toward Augusta National patrons on the par-3 12th hole after tapping in for a triple-bogey 6. He tossed his golf ball into Rae's Creek while walking off the green.

Johnson addressed the moment with reporters after finishing the second round with a three-over 75.

"That's laughable," Johnson said about the speculation that he swore at fans, according to Golf Channel's Brentley Romine. "That's completely laughable. I can't hear the patrons, number one. Number two, I just made a triple-bogey on the 12th hole that evidently is going to make me miss the cut, which at the time I knew was pretty sensitive in the sense that I needed to keep making pars.

"If I've said anything, which I'm not going to deny—especially if it's on camera—one, I apologize. And two, it was fully directed towards myself entirely because I can't hear anything behind me."

Zach Johnson says his swearing picked up by a mic at 12 was "fully directed toward myself."

His full comments: pic.twitter.com/x9HviPQ5nh

— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) April 12, 2024

Johnson has had a few heated exchanges with fans in recent months. A video went viral in February when tensions mounted at the Phoenix Open between Johnson and a couple of rowdy fans.

Johnson likely will not make the cut at Augusta, as he sits seven over par after two rounds.