Argentine amateur Mateo Pulcini birdied the 18th hole in the first round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Thursday. He marked the moment by cupping his hands over his ears in a gesture similar to one used by a teammate in Argentina's World Cup semifinal the night before.
Pulcini, the 25-year-old winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship in January, entered the week after missing the cut at both the Masters and the U.S. Open. He finished his opening round at six over par after a series of bogeys and a double-bogey, yet the closing birdie from 40 feet three inches lifted his spirits.
The celebration drew attention because Argentina had advanced to the World Cup final the previous evening. Pulcini watched the match and said the gesture came to mind spontaneously after the putt dropped. He stressed that he had no intention of mocking England fans and praised the treatment he has received at the tournament.
Pulcini is scheduled to play his second round on Friday alongside Spaniard Angel Ayora. Argentina is set to face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday. He said he plans to remain at Birkdale through the weekend regardless of whether he makes the cut.
