Argentine golfer Mateo Pulcini, the only Argentinian in the field at The Open, was met with playful boos from the crowd at Royal Birkdale. But he had the last laugh after sinking a stunning 40-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole, then cupping his hands to his ears in a celebration copied from Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Pulcini's Perfect Response
The 25-year-old shrugged off the playful exchanges throughout his round, but delivered the ultimate retort on the 18th green. After the long putt dropped, he replicated Fernandez's gesture, which the footballer had used after scoring Argentina's equaliser against England in a World Cup semi-final. Moments later, Lautaro Martinez headed the winner, sending Argentina to the final.
Pulcini admitted he didn't miss a kick of the match, despite it being on the eve of the tournament in Southport. He said: "I didn't want to do anything to make fun of the match that you guys lost because the tournament here has been unbelievable. That celebration came from a 40-foot putt. I was pretty excited, and that came to my mind, and I did it."
Crowd Reaction and Golfer's Enjoyment
Pulcini said he expected boos and welcomed them. "I was expecting a few boos on the first tee, and they came, some of them, but there were almost none. I love it. I really don't mind. It's part of the fun." He praised the fans: "People were being great. The fans are spectacular. They were cheering for me as well. The score wasn't good at all, I wasn't having a good day, but this on 18 made it a little bit better."
English Golfers Struggle
England suffered further disappointment as Justin Rose endured a difficult day, finishing on 75 with eight bogeys. Fellow Englishman Matthew Jordan fared worse, ending seven-over-par on 77. Tommy Fleetwood revealed he spent the previous evening comforting his young son after England's World Cup defeat, admitting he felt unusually on edge before his one-under-par round of 69. "I was watching the football," he said. "I was trying to console my son. The football was great to have as something else to think about and watch that. But I was pretty nervous, to be honest, on the first tee. First tees don't bother me that much, but I was nervous today just with the excitement."
Spanish Golfer's Hope
Jon Rahm, who is Spanish, said he hopes to be too preoccupied with winning The Open to catch Spain's clash against Argentina in the World Cup final. He commented: "Hopefully I'm teeing off late and I miss it! Hopefully I'm celebrating and I don't get to watch the game at all."
