Argentine golfer Mateo Pulcini risked making himself rather unpopular at The Open on Thursday.
The amateur star reminded England fans of their defeat to his nation at the World Cup during his opening round at Royal Birkdale.
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Golf’s final major of the year began in Southport around eight hours after the Three Lions’ bitter 2-1 defeat to Argentina.
Anthony Gordon put England in front, before Thomas Tuchel’s men parked the bus for 40 minutes and ultimately conceded twice late on.
Argentina’s equaliser came through Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, who cupped his ears and pouted in a celebration that will forever haunt England fans.
And those trying to take their mind off the Atlanta horror show with a nice day out at the golf were given no reprieve.
Fernandez 2.0
Pulcini, the only Argentine golfer in the 156-man field, was among the early starters and shot a five-over-par 75.
He reached the clubhouse with a 40-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole – and celebrated by cupping his ears to the crowd.
The patrons continued to cheer, perhaps unaware that the little-known golfer they were watching was an Argentinian nodding to the Fernandez goal.
A commentator noted: “They haven’t quite worked out where he’s from.”
And with a smile on his face, Pulcini later insisted it was all in good spirit.
The 25-year-old said: โI didnโt want to do anything to make fun of the match that you guys lost because the tournament here has been unbelievable.
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“That celebration came from a 40-foot putt. I was pretty excited, and that came to my mind, and I did it.
“I was expecting a few boos on the first tee, and they came, some of them, but there were almost none.”
Golf coming home?
While football is still yet to return home, there are still hopes of an English sporting fairytale on Sunday.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who grew up minutes away from Royal Birkdale, shot a level par 70 in his opening round.
His compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick is also highly-fancied amid a successful 2026 season.
The early pace-setters set the clubhouse lead at four-under par before the afternoon starters got underway.
You can listen to live coverage of The Open on eSPORTY 2 until the winner is crowned on Sunday.
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