Augusta National isn't exactly the kind of place where you expect to see unruly fan behavior. For starters, the fans are called "patrons," which kind of classes 'em up a little, you know? Even so, you don't see any streakers, John 3:16 sign-holders, Cleveland-style Dawg Pounders, or any of the other look-at-me types that show up at other sporting events.
Every once in awhile, though, somebody goes overboard, perhaps as a result of a few too many $2 beers, and the unfortunate happens. Case in point: the 17th hole on Sunday, where the Augusta Chronicle reports that a patron leaped into the greenside bunker just a few feet from Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. (For the hyper-obsessives among you, that shot above is of the ninth hole; apparently any photos that exist of this incident have been destroyed.)
Like so many other stunts, the guy apparently hadn't thought this whole thing through, as in what to do once he got into the bunker. Did he build a sandcastle? Curl into a ball and roll around like a Friday-afternoon Rory McIlroy shot? Lie flat on his back and make a sand angel? No, no and no.
According to the Chronicle, all this poor dumb patron, Steven T. Davis of Salt Lake City, did was collect his sunglasses and wallet, apologize to Phil's caddy Bones Mackay, and walk to the waiting arms of the tournament security force. "I apologize," the Chronicle reported him as saying as he was escorted to meet his destiny somewhere in the catacombs beneath Butler Cabin. "I'm stupid. I hope Phil wins. That was dumb. Why did I do that?"
Phil, meanwhile, said the incident had nothing to do with him missing a five-foot birdie putt immediately thereafter. He wouldn't use the phrase "like throwing a match onto the fire that's already burned down your house," but we will.
Meanwhile, donations in memory of Mr. Davis, who has not been seen or heard from since the incident, are being accepted by Augusta National.*
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