Open star celebrates Troon success in the most British way possible

While it was Xander Schauffele who left Royal Troon with the Claret Jug, it was Dan Brown who stole the hearts of millions around the world at The Open.

The English journeyman, who was in contention for the duration of the tournament before falling away on Sunday to eventually finish in a tie for tenth, made headlines not just for expertly plotting his way round the Ayrshire links, but for his often humorous antics between shots.

Whether he was trying to hide from the cameras while sneakily sparking up a cigarette so his mum and dad didn’t catch him – “They do know, but I don’t do it in front of them, or I don’t want to do it in front of them, so I try and hide it” – or taking selfies with fans as he came down 18 leading the tournament, Brown made himself something of a cult hero over the course of the week.

Ripping darts and taking pics with fans on the 18th fairway with a solo lead.

Just give Daniel Brown the trophy already pic.twitter.com/942CQli5E8

— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) July 20, 2024

Brown spent most of The Open telling the media that he was just going to be himself and that he wouldn’t let the moment go to his head – and nothing showed that more than this hilarious mock photoshoot back at his rental home after closing out the lead on Thursday.

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But now he is back home in Yorkshire and with the dust settling on his moment in the spotlight, Brown decided to treat his family and friends to a slap-up meal.

After all, he had just won the best part of quarter of a million quid.

So where did they go, you might wonder?

Well, have you heard of this fancy little restaurant called Wetherspoons?

Brown’s brother, Ben, posted clips on Instagram of the 29-year-old enjoying the classic combo of pizza, fried chicken and cheesy chips, all washed down with a glass of house white.

Can you think of better post-golf grub? Get it down you!

Don’t ever change, Dan…

Alex Perry is the Associate Editor of bunkered. A journalist for more than 20 years, he has been a golf industry stalwart for the majority of his career and, in a five-year spell at ESPN, covered every sporting event you can think of. He completed his own Grand Slam at the 2023 Masters, having fallen in love with the sport at his hometown club of Okehampton and on the links of nearby Bude & North Cornwall.

Associate Editor