Rickie Fowler’s third round at the Travelers Championship took a tense turn when a heckler’s sarcastic remark prompted a rare verbal confrontation from his longtime caddie, Ricky Romano.
The moment unfolded at TPC River Highlands after Fowler left a lag putt short of the hole from just off the green. As the ball settled well shy of the cup, a spectator was heard calling out, “Nice lag putt,” in a tone that struck many as mocking rather than supportive.
Fowler paused and stared in the direction of the comment, clearly not amused. Before he could respond, Romano turned toward the crowd and fired back: “Easy to say over there, buddy.” The terse response quickly silenced the momentary heckling, and Fowler refocused on completing the hole.
Though the exchange was brief, it highlighted growing concerns about fan behavior at professional golf events. As galleries have become louder and more interactive, especially during high-stakes rounds, players and caddies are increasingly dealing with verbal distractions.
This isn’t the first time Fowler has had to handle heckling. Earlier this year at the Cognizant Classic, he snapped back at a fan who commented after a missed putt, saying, “Of course you know… that’s why you’re in the stands.”
While neither Fowler nor Romano addressed the latest incident publicly, fans and commentators alike have debated whether the heckler crossed a line or whether players need to accept such moments as part of the modern tournament atmosphere.
Regardless, Romano’s firm but controlled reaction served as a reminder that there’s still a line between spirited fandom and disrespect—one that shouldn’t be so easily crossed.
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