Taylor wins raucous WM Phoenix Open in a play-off

Canadian Nick Taylor produced a superb late surge to win the WM Phoenix Open in a play-off at Scottsdale, Arizona.

Taylor, 35, birdied three of his last four regular holes to tie with Charley Hoffman on 21-under after the American took the lead with a seven-under-64.

Both birdied the first extra hole but when Hoffman missed on the second, Taylor sunk an 11-foot birdie putt.

The rest of the tournament had been marred by trouble at the notoriously raucous PGA Tour event.

Alcohol sales were temporarily halted on Saturday and one man was arrested after jumping over the ropes and diving into a greenside bunker on the par-three 16th, where he proceeded to perform ‘snow angels’ in the sand.

Zach Johnson, the United States Ryder Cup captain in 2023, and Billy Horschel earlier exchanged angry words with spectators.

Johnson was filmed arguing with fans and could be heard saying “I’m sick of it” before demanding the spectators “just shut up”.

In a separate incident, Horschel was seen remonstrating with a spectator for calling out while one of his playing partners, qualifier Nicolo Galletti, was about to hit a shot.

“Buddy, when he’s over a shot shut the hell up man,” Horschel shouted.

Former BMW PGA Championship winner Byeong Hun An said the event was “totally out of control on every hole” in a post on social media.

The incidents are the latest at an event that has increasingly become marred by raucous behaviour, particularly on the par-three 16th ‘stadium hole’.

An almost naked spectator was arrested at last year’s tournament after streaking around the green before jumping in a nearby pond.

The previous edition saw fans routinely shower the hole with drinks bottles to reward a good shot – with one player being hit – while PGA Tour players Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen removed their shirts to the delight of baying fans