Argentina’s Mateo Pulcini mimicked Enzo Fernandez’s celebration against England at The Open Championship after holing a 40-foot birdie putt.
The only Argentinian in the field at Royal Birkdale was light-heartedly booed before teeing off after his country knocked England out of the World Cup.
Pulcini lapped up the jeers, holing an incredible birdie on 18 to record a five-over-par 75.
The amateur, who was making his Open debut, cupped both hands to his ears, imitating what Fernandez did after scoring Argentina’s first goal in their 2-1 victory over England.
Pulcini shared that he “did not miss a single second” of the game, and the Fernandez celebration came to mind after making the 40-footer.
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.
“I was expecting a few boos on the first tee, and they came, some of them, but there were almost none.
Mateo Pulcini mimicked Enzo Fernandez’s celebration against England at The Open
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SKYSPORTS/REUTERS
“I love it. I really don’t mind. It’s part of the fun.
“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.”
Royal Birkdale has proved challenging for several golfers in round one, with the dry course and terrain throwing a few players off.
Mateo Pulcini said: ‘People were being great. The fans are spectacular. They were cheering for me as well’
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PA
Justin Rose failed to get going, shooting a round of 75 with eight bogeys.
Fellow Englishman Matthew Jordan also struggled in the sun, recording a seven-over-par 77.
America’s Jordan Spieth will have to shoot well on Friday to make the cut, with a 73 in round one.
Justin Rose was one of several players who struggled in round one
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Several of his compatriots recorded good scores in round one, including Bryson DeChambeau, who is looking to avoid his fourth missed major cut this season.
His first-round 67 has put him in a strong position ahead of round two, after taking a measured approach around the Southport-based course.
England’s Dan Brown currently leads the way after shooting a 66, as did Sung-jae Im.
