If you've been watching the golfers you backed flop at The Open today, you will have come across the endearing chuckles of the Sky commentary team about a man with an odd nickname and ask, why is Andrew Johnston nicknamed Beef?
Johnston finds himself in third place at Royal Troon, with Butch Harmon referring to him as a kind of loveable rogue, like the golfer Dennis the Menace would be if he got off the mean streets of The Beano to lower his handicap.
There's a lot of love for Johnston with golfing fans showing their absolute desperation to find a character and cling to him, so attuned are they with watching automatons like Jordan Spieth. Being a golfer with a bit of character is a bit like being a priest willing to crack a gag during a homily: the audience expect so little from you, the mere attempt to be different and stand out will find you a place in a multitude of hearts.
The first question you are likely asking yourself is: why is Andrew Johnston nicknamed Beef?
.@BeefGolf expains where his nickname came from 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔https://t.co/T0kfFMHsRx #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/86ApkN5FJe
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) July 13, 2016
His appeal extends beyond his nickname, however.
For example, have a look at this interview he gave after winning the Spanish Open in February:
#Beef 😂 😂 https://t.co/miXd9mrPQm
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 17, 2016
He was in good form at Royal Troon, also:
Quote of the day from Andrew 'Beef" Johnston: "I had pizza for dinner. A 10-inch, not a 20-inch win-a-tee-shirt-if-you-finish-it type thing"
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) July 16, 2016
Also, have a look at this celebration having hit a hole in one at the same tournament:
Make a hole in one ✓
Do a dance ✓
Chest bump ✓
Win a BMW ✓
http://t.co/3Ocmk3Y1nJ— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 21, 2015
His twitter account is worth a follow: he currently has a disgracefully low 14,500 followers. On there, you will find a willingness to retweet dodgy photoshop efforts founded on a solid pun:
He also replies to virtually everyone, and he also produces some top quality #content:
Nice little warm up today before my range session at @TheGroveHotel 😂 @GolfJuice_tv @EuropeanTour #rickastley pic.twitter.com/TNXbQBAs3O
— Andrew 'Beef' Johnston (@BeefGolf) April 8, 2015
Where's the beef?
In the penultimate pairing on the final day of The Open, that's where.
