June 14, 2008

AUSTRALIAN golfer Adam Scott's caddie was involved in a physical altercation that ended with two spectators being arrested during the second round at the US Open.

Caddie Tony Navarro went outside the ropes on the final hole of the day to confront the two apparently unruly spectators.

According to a police spokesman, a physical scuffle ensued, after which two male spectators were arrested and charged with being "drunk in public".

They were escorted to a local jail to sober up.

The spokesman said further charges were possible after witnesses had been interviewed, and he did not rule out Navarro's being charged either, although he suggested it was unlikely.

The incident happened next to the ninth fairway, a few minutes after another Australian golfer, Stuart Appleby, was apparently distracted by the same spectators on the adjacent 18th tee at Torrey Pines.

"They were being a little loud and little rude," said Woods.

"Stuey is over there on 18 trying to tee off, and Tony (Navarro) is trying to make sure that he (Appleby) doesn't have these guys yelling on his swing."

According to Woods, the unruly spectators "didn't like it very much" being asked by Navarro to belt up, which apparently was the catalyst for the physical alternation minutes later.