Where’s the Beef? Andrew Johnston is 1 under and still entertaining fans.
Englishman has become fan favorite
TOWN OF ERIN - The nickname echoed from the first tee to the final green, and every fairway in between — on Saturday, but every day at this week’s U.S. Open at Erin Hills.
“Beeeeef,” the galleries have clamored, in support of Andrew “Beef” Johnston, the 5-foot-11, 220-pounder.
And each time the word rings out — whether Johnston is en route to a 3under 69 like he shot on Thursday or an even-par 72 like he shot on Saturday — the 28-year-old from London smiles and puts his thumb in the air.
“I can’t be too tense the whole way around the course,” Johnston said. “It relaxes me.”
In America, Johnston always receives great support, he said. But not much has compared to this Wisconsin week.
“It’s been wicked, man,” Johnson said. “The people have been so good to me. Hopefully they’ve had fun watching me, as well, because I’ve had fun with them.”
“The people have been so good to me. Hopefully they’ve had fun watching me, as well, because I’ve had fun with them.”
Eric Olsen, a 51-yearold Racine native who sported an Aaron Rodgers jersey, couldn’t have had more fun when he saw Johnston Saturday near the tee box on No. 11.
After the Englishman converted a cheeky chip from the left of the green on No. 10 and tapped in for his par, Johnston gave fist bumps to a number of fans, including Olsen.
“He just seems to be like a common guy’s player that you can relate to,” Olsen said. That’s because he is. “I never dreamt of this. I never thought it would be like this,” Johnston said. “To have the support is just crazy.”
Johnston, who turned professional in 2009 and typically plays on the European Tour (where he won in 2016 at the Open de España), started playing golf at age 4 with his father. The two would go to a field and hit golf balls when he was younger, which led to his rise through the amateur ranks.
When Johnston was 12, his hairdo sporadically stuck out from every direction, so a friend called him Beefhead. The nickname stuck, but it’s since been shortened and, yes, embraced.
“We have the beef” is portrayed on the back of Johnston’s Titleist cap. His putter cover this week has the features of a cow. And the logo stitched is an Arby’s logo, a sponsor that jumped on board back in the summer of 2016.
It’s apparent that the sponsorship has given him more acclaim, but Johnston hasn’t changed since.
“I don’t care where you’re from or who you are, if you’re nice, you’re nice,” Johnston said. “I get along with everyone, you know?”
Louise Jay, Johnston’s girlfriend who smiled as he gave that answer knows, which was why she enjoyed Saturday even with Johnston’ struggling to muster a charge after back-to-back birdies to start his round.
By the time he got to No. 15, Johnston was 2over and had a 16-foot putt for birdie.
Johnston started walking as he struck the ball, thinking he’d misread it. The fans in the grandstands watched the ball all the way, though, and when it went in the center of the cup, they went bonkers while Johnston gave them the “Michael Jordan shrug.”
He also beamed, as did Jay and all of the Wisconsinites that surrounded the green.
“He’d fit right in here,” Olsen said. “You walk into a small bar, you could certainly see him having dinner and having a few beers.
“And maybe a cocktail or two.”
ANDREW JOHNSTON WHOSE NICKNAME IS ‘BEEF’