Why do golf fans shout 'mashed potatoes'?
- Published
Golf spectators have been known to shout a number of phrases once a player has hit his shot, including "mashed potatoes."
Other shouts, including "get in the hole", make much more sense in golf terms. But other calls, such as "mashed potatoes", have less obvious sporting meanings.
It was first heard at the 2010 PGA Championship following a Tiger Woods tee shot and was shared online shortly after.
A year later, American spectator Andrew Widmar shouted it after another Woods tee shot at the Chevron World Challenge.
The fan said he shouted it so his mother could spot him in the crowd on television. Since then, its popularity and use has significantly increased.
It is widely understood to just be a completely random shout with no real meaning behind it.
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What do players make of it?
Chants of "mashed potatoes" originate from American spectators
While many fans across the world find it amusing, players themselves are less than impressed.
Former world number five Ian Poulter told SportBible that they were "complete and utter embarrassing stupidity" and said he would like to "borrow the taser from the security guard" to tase one fan per hole who shouts after shots.
At the 2018 Genesis Open, both Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas had spectators removed for persistent shouting.
Fifteen-time major winner Woods said the insults had "cost me a few tournaments here and there."
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