The U.S. Golf Assn., in a statement, said the blimp was not affiliated with the USGA or used by any broadcaster.
The blimp crash was far from the course but the smoke that rose above the trees afterwards was terrifying.
The blimp is sponsored by PenFed Credit Union and owned by a company called AirSign.
"I was teeing off and I looked up and saw it on fire, and I felt sick to my stomach", Jamie Lovemark said after his opening round in one of golf's four majors.
Various media reports said the blimp deflated, started to come down slowly, burst into flames and crashed into a field near Highways 167 and 83. The blimp went down in an open field near the course.
Hundreds of Anti-Corruption Protesters Arrested In Moscow
Nonetheless, Mr Nalvany's social media-savvy supporters have got their own YouTube channel - broadcasting from across the country. His report on alleged corruption connected to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was the focus of the March protests.
A blimp flying over the U.S. Open in Wisconsin crashed Thursday afternoon, with the pilot reported to be "OK", according to The Associated Press. A handful of fans at the U.S. Open also posted video on Twitter of the craft's descent.
People have been tweeting out footage of those on board the flaming blimp parachuting to the ground with brief information.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been contacted to assist with the investigation, according to the sheriff's office.
Video posted by someone attending the tournament shows the dark form of the crumpled blimp rapidly descending, eventually falling from view behind a crowded grandstand.
Maynard says he is "not 100 percent" on the condition of the pilot but that believes he is alive.
Comments