An Argentine amateur golfer has sparked controversy at The Open Championship by taunting English fans with a celebration copied from footballer Enzo Fernandez, just hours after Argentina knocked England out of the World Cup. Mateo Pulcini, a 25-year-old from Buenos Aires, sank a long putt on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale and immediately performed the now-famous pose — arms crossed, hands pointing downward — that Fernandez used after scoring against France in the 2022 World Cup final.
The incident occurred on the same day that Argentina defeated England in the World Cup quarterfinals, sending the Three Lions packing from the tournament. Pulcini, who was playing as an amateur in the prestigious major championship, admitted that his round had been poor until the final hole, where he produced the impressive putt that prompted the celebration. «I didn't play well today, but that putt on 18 was special,» he told reporters after the round. «I just felt like celebrating, and that celebration came to mind.»
The gesture did not go unnoticed by the crowd at Royal Birkdale, where a significant number of English fans were present. Some reacted with boos and jeers, while others appeared amused by the audacity of the Argentine amateur. Social media footage of the moment quickly circulated online, drawing comparisons to the tense atmosphere that has surrounded the football rivalry between the two nations. The celebration echoed the same gesture that Fernandez used in the World Cup final, which Argentina won on penalties, and has since become a symbol of Argentine football pride.
Pulcini's actions come amid heightened tensions between Argentine and English fans following the World Cup match. Earlier in the day, a separate incident in London's Piccadilly Circus saw an Argentina fan rescued by police after being surrounded by a crowd of baying England supporters. The fan was reportedly left isolated and vulnerable as emotions ran high after the match, with police intervening to ensure his safety. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that no arrests were made, but the incident underscored the passionate — and sometimes volatile — nature of the rivalry.
The Open Championship, one of golf's four major tournaments, is being held at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Pulcini, who qualified for the event through his amateur status, is not a household name in golf, but his celebration has thrust him into the spotlight. He finished his round with a score that left him well off the lead, but his moment on the 18th green has become one of the most talked-about incidents of the tournament so far.
Golf fans and commentators have weighed in on the appropriateness of the celebration. Some argued that it was a harmless display of national pride, while others felt it was disrespectful to the English crowd and the spirit of the game. «It's a bit of fun, really,» said one spectator who witnessed the putt. «But you could feel the tension in the air. People are still raw from the football result.»
The rivalry between Argentina and England in football dates back decades, with notable clashes including the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, where Diego Maradona scored the «Hand of God» goal, and the 1998 World Cup, which saw David Beckham sent off. The recent World Cup match added another chapter to that history, with Argentina prevailing 2-1 in a tightly contested game. Pulcini's celebration, while occurring on a golf course, tapped directly into that long-standing sporting animosity.
For Pulcini, the moment may prove to be a career highlight, even if his performance at The Open was otherwise forgettable. He is not expected to contend for the title, but his name is now known far beyond the golfing world. The Argentine Golf Association has not commented on the incident, and Pulcini himself has not apologised for the celebration. As the tournament continues, the focus will return to the leaders on the leaderboard, but the image of an Argentine amateur taunting English fans at a major championship will linger as a colourful footnote to the day's events.
