Fifteen-time Major champion and Team USA Captain Tiger Woods has called for calm, after accusing drunk Australian golf fans of going "over the top."
The comments were made in light of Patrick Reed's caddie being banned from the final day of the Presidents Cup after an altercation with an abusive spectator at Royal Melbourne.
Other spectators claim they heard the intoxicated man repeatedly yelling "n*****" as he was being dragged out by security.
There's no suggestion that the abuse was being directed at any specific players.
Police say they arrested a NSW man in his 30's early Saturday afternoon for being drunk.
Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne. Source: Twitter/Presidents Cup
Woods said he wants fans to support the golf above all else, emphasising Australian support for the Internationals was expected but the passion had in some cases mixed with alcohol for an unpleasant experience.
"Have people said things that have been over the top? Yes," Woods said.
"I've heard it. I've been in the groups playing when it has happened, and I've been inside the ropes as a captain witnessing it.
"There's obviously some yelling. There's people who have had a lot to drink and have gone over the top. Bipartisanship is part of playing in team matches, whether you're home or on the road. It's part of the deal.
2019 Presidents Cup action at Royal Melbourne. Source: Twitter/Presidents Cup
"All I ask for all the galleries is be excited but be respectful of the players, all 24 of us."
Internationals captain Ernie Els supported Woods' right to speak out against poor behaviour but highlighted much of what has been dished out may simply be Australians returning serve for the 2017 edition on US soil.
Team USA member Tony Finau putting at the Presidents Cup. Source: Twitter/Presidents Cup
"If you look back at New York and how these players were treated in New York, this crowd is pretty quiet," Els said.
"We just get treated the same wherever you go as an away game, there's some heckling going on and we all know that, and you prepare for that. And that's just the way it goes.
"We shut up and we get on with things. That's what we did in New York. So it's part of the game.
Tiger Woods during the first round of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Source: AAP
"And I'm with Tiger; I absolutely, I'm against heckling. I'm against crowds being disrespectful to the players, but it happens. As professionals, we move on."
