Farmington, N.Y. ? Only in New York could this happen.

Where else could they stage a golf tournament the national championship, no less and make the atmosphere seem more like a football game? Where else but New York could a golf tournament turn it into a raucous party in which the spectators become as active as the participants?

If one of the patrons at Augusta National that’s what they are called there, patrons, not fans tried to do what the fans at Bethpage National have done for the last three days, they would be summarily dismissed and have their ticket privileges revoked.

To be fair, though, it would not only be Augusta. Most golf events would be horrified if fans acted the way some are at the 102nd U.S. Open.

But in New York, these things happen. In “The People’s Open,” as it this tournament has been dubbed, there is more action between shots than during shots. The fans have become part of the action. They have taken sides.

Tiger Woods, who leads by four shots entering today’s final round, gets the loudest reaction, almost all positive.

Sergio Garcia, the 22-year-old Spaniard whose colorful personality has made him a favorite for so many, has become the villain. Garcia, who will play with Woods in the final twosome today, is taking a verbal beating.

Whether it is because he waggles the club for so long before he swings, or because Garcia moaned openly Friday about what he perceives as favoritism for Woods, the fans are heckling him.

Phil Mickelson, who will begin the final round in a tie for third, has become the lovable underdog. The lefty, who sometimes gets picked on for his failures in previous majors, has been adopted as the sentimental favorite.

The fans have made their position clear all week.

“They aren’t quiet, I’ll tell you that,” Woods said. “If I don’t have a hearing problem, I might have one by the end of the week.”

The good news for Woods is that they are cheering for him. That’s not always the case with Garcia, who has been heckled a number of times.

“You guys could see it,” he said. “It was rough out there.”

Woods and Garcia hope the enthusiasm is channeled properly.

“I’ve said the entire week that there’s nothing wrong with the fans showing enthusiasm, just as long as they’re respectful,” Woods said.