Former Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson swears at spectators during Masters outburst

Johnson ran up a six on the par-three 12th at Augusta National and reacted angrily to what sounded like a sarcastic response from fans back on the tee.

"Oh f*** off," Johnson could be heard saying on the Amen Corner feed of the tournament's website, which records every shot of every player in the field.

Asked about the incident after completing a second round of 75, Johnson initially claimed it was "laughable" that he had sworn at the spectators.

"That I swore at the patrons? That's laughable. That's completely laughable," he said.

"I can't hear the patrons, number one. Number two, I just made a triple bogey on the 12th hole that evidently is going to make me miss the cut.

"If I've said anything, which I'm not going to deny, especially if it's on camera, one, I apologise, and two, it was fully directed towards myself entirely because I can't hear anything behind me. Does that make sense?"

The spectators were actually in front of Johnson – not behind – and after answering several questions on different subjects, he opted to return to the topic.

"I'm going to clear that up," he added. "I don't know what was said on 12 because I'm really frustrated by that. I'm just frustrated by that. I am sorry if it looked like that. Please know that.

"I had no intention of – I can't hear anybody. I probably should have said something to my caddie. No, I'm just kidding. All seriousness, I apologise if there was something there."

It is the second time this year Johnson has remonstrated with fans, with tempers also fraying on the the final day of the WM Phoenix Open.

Johnson was filmed confronting fans at TPC Scottsdale and could be heard telling them "I'm sick of it" before demanding they "just shut up".

It was not apparent from the clip, which was posted on social media, what prompted the two-time major winner to lose his temper, although the Phoenix Open is notorious for the rowdy behaviour of some fans.