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If you’re going to heckle some of the best golfers in the world you better be sure that you can back up your words with actions. Fortunately for one lucky spectator at the Ryder Cup in 2016, he could walk the walk.
Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Andy Sullivan practised together the day before the real action got underway at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, followed by huge crowds.
On the eighth green, a now legendary moment in Ryder Cup folklore played out. As the European team struggled to make a putt on the hole David Johnson, a golf fan from North Dakota shouted out: “I could make that putt.”
Having caught the attention of McIlroy, the former world No 1 invited a surprised Johnson to come out of the crowd and try the putt for himself, amid huge cheers from the engaged crowd.
Just to add a bit more pressure to the occasion, former US Open champion Rose pulled out a $100 note and placed it on the green next to the ball as an extra incentive for the noisy spectator who now found himself to be the centre of attention.
Johnson initially complained that the putter was too short for him but was told that he must use the same club that the European team had missed with. After steadying himself, the crowd fell completely silent as he prepared to take his shot at glory.
What happened next was clearly written in the stars for Johnson. He hit his putt overly firm but nailed the read of the green. As shouts of “get in the hole” echo around the action, the ball arrows to the centre of the hole and pops straight in.
Johnson’s successful put his met with huge cheers and some disbelief from the European team members. The plucky spectator who dared to take on the professionals milked his moment, dancing on the green.
Henrik Stenson was first to congratulate him, followed by Rose and McIlroy, who gave the 14-handicap fan a big hug. The Europeans were left with no choice but to give their heckler a pat on the back.
As per the Mirror, Stenson said: “We were playing a match against Andy and Rory. Andy didn’t make the putt and went to try again. Someone in the crowd yelled: ‘I could do it’. So we let him have a go. And all credit to him, he drilled it in the centre. He would have been chipping if it hadn’t gone in but fair play to him.”
Rose added: “The guy came on and ripped it in the middle. Fair play to him.”
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Johnson, whose memorable weekend was further cemented when the USA won the Ryder Cup 17-11, admitted that the unforgettable moment had made his weekend.
“I’ve got no words for it. I don’t remember a bit,” Johnson said. “But it was fun, I do remember that.”
Referring to the $100 note, that Rose, McIlroy and their team-mates signed, he added: “I’m gonna frame it, put it in my office and enjoy every minute of the moment. It’s wild. Unreal. No words for it.”
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