SCOTTSDALE (Ariz.) — Large crowds gathered at the WM Phoenix Open during Super Bowl weekend. Friday’s crowd saw a streaker make waves around the back nine.
Videos of Sean Patrick McConnell (27), as he played his rounds from the 16th to the 18th holes, exploded on social media. McConnell, allegedly, jumped from the 16th hole general admission bleachers in only a pair of pants and ran to green before dancing with the flagstick.
He ran around the stands pumping up the crowd and then evaded an official. He ran through the secondary tunnel to reach the 17th hole, and then jumped in the water hazards to swim to the 18th.
During the second round at TPC Scottsdale’s WM Phoenix Open, a man runs onto the 16th fairway delaying Stewart Cink’s tee shot. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic)
Scottsdale police charged him with disorderly conduct, trespassing and failing to comply with a lawful order.
These videos received enough attention that Shinesty, an underwear brand, noticed McConnell wearing their swim shorts. The CEO of the company felt obliged to pay his bail and assist with administrative court fees.
McConnell stated in the release that “all I wanted was to put a smile upon people’s faces.” It is called “the people’s open,” so I wanted to make sure people have something to laugh about.
McConnell’s actions did draw cheers from the crowd but not the golfers on the course. His actions delayed the second round, and caused ire among golfers.
Stewart Cink was supposed to start at the 16th green when the performance started. However, he was initially confused when the crowd became louder than usual.
Cink stated, “I saw an idiot running around on the green.” “I believe that the 10 to 15 minutes he was in the spotlight will result in many hours of whatever the reverse of the spotlight is.”
