Northern Ireland was previously a nation starved of professional golf action. Having grown up here, I remember jumping for joy when the news broke Portrush would host the 2013 Irish Open and I’d get to see the best in the world, in the flesh, in my own back yard. Fast forward just over a decade and we’ve now had two Open Championships in six years.
This has meant a huge, golf-hungry sellout crowd has flocked to Royal Portrush like a seagull to a stray chip on the town promenade. Having spent the week at this fabulous tournament, I’ve overheard many conversations – from the golf nerds and ‘sickos’ to the fans less familiar with the intricacies of this strange game, but are simply here to enjoy this wonderful tournament.
Here is a taste of the best things I’ve overheard on the ground this week at The Open Championship.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Different nationalities = different supportive shouts
Following the McIlroy, Fleetwood and Thomas group on Friday, it was to be expected for there to be plenty of supportive shouts towards the trio – but what fascinated me was how these changed for each player.
Obviously Rory got the most, with his fellow countrymen and women cheering him on at seemingly every stride.
“Go on Rory!”
“Rorrrryyyyyyy”
I can hear the “G’waaan Roryyyyy” shouts by simply looking at this image
(Image credit: Getty Images)
McIlroy doesn’t need be doing anything specific to receive such shouts, simply walking off a tee box or down a fairway is sufficient. The same is true for Fleetwood as well, albeit his shouts are a lot more infrequent and tailored more to after he has played his shots.
“Come on Tommy!” is the most common, quite a few of which come in a thick English accent. The “Go on Tommy” shout, when said in a Irish accent, quite often comes with the world “lad” at the end.
However, the most noticeable difference is the punctuation. Tommy’s ‘go on’ shout is just that, whereas the one Rory receives often blends into the local dialect and turns into a “g’waaaan” – almost more of a noise than actual words, but just as endearing and supportive.
Not to be left out, J.T too gets his support. He is referred to only as J.T. It’s never “come on Justin!” or “go on Thomas!” – in fact, he’s never referred by christian or surname. He simply goes by…
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