Golf fans were left scratching their heads after veteran player KJ Choi made a highly unusual move during The Open Championship's opening ceremony at Royal Troon.
The 53-year-old South Korean, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, appeared to completely ignore tournament traditions when his name was called during the player introductions.
A Moment That Left Everyone Talking
As each competitor stepped forward to acknowledge the crowd, Choi remained rooted to the spot, staring straight ahead without any reaction. The awkward moment created palpable tension before the next player was introduced.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as "bizarre" and "uncomfortable," with many speculating whether Choi was making a silent protest or simply didn't understand the protocol.
Social Media Reacts to the Snub
The incident quickly became the talk of golf social media, with fans divided in their interpretations:
- Some praised Choi for "bucking tradition"
- Others criticized the move as disrespectful
- A few suggested there might have been a language barrier issue
This isn't the first time Choi has made headlines at The Open. The veteran golfer famously finished third in 2007 and has seven career top-10 finishes in majors.
What This Means for Choi's Championship
While the opening ceremony incident has dominated conversation, all eyes will now be on how Choi performs on the challenging Royal Troon course. The Scottish links have already shown they can produce dramatic moments this championship.
Whether this was a deliberate statement or simple misunderstanding remains unclear, but it's certainly added an extra layer of intrigue to this year's Open Championship.
