The Loop

Philly fans take aim at Sergio Garcia in U.S. Open first round

The notoriously aggressive Philadelphia sports fans made themselves known during Sergio Garcia's first round of the U.S. Open at Merion, with some audible boos emanating from the stands on the first tee and heckling continuing throughout the day.

While playing the 8th hole (his 16th of the day) USGA rules official Donnie Bowers reportedly asked Garcia if he wanted security to remove the hecklers, something Garcia refused, saying it would only "make it worse."

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The booing spectators on the first tee, although clearly audible, were vastly outnumbered by spectators politely applauding him, something Garcia reiterated after the round, when asked about his reception:

"It was good. Very good, for the most part," he said.

Sergio Garcia met Tiger Woods in person for the first time on Tuesday since the Players in May, where tensions arose after Garcia accused Woods of deliberately trying to distract him.

The feud escalated further when Garcia made a joke during an awards banquet in Europe, where he said he would serve Woods "fried chicken" for dinner. Garcia has since apologized for the remark publically and to Woods in the form of a handwritten note.

**(photo by Getty Images) **