Full Breakdown
Mateo Pulcini’s Enzo Fernández-Inspired Celebration at the 2024 British Open
7/17/2026, 12:50:10 PM
The Moment on the 18th Green
On Thursday, the sole Argentine in the British Open field, 25-year-old amateur Mateo Pulcini, finished his opening round with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th at Royal Birkdale. As the ball dropped, Pulcini cupped both hands over his ears, mimicking the celebration of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández after his 85th-minute equaliser against England in the World Cup semifinal. The gesture turned a modest five-over-par 75 into a memorable highlight for the debutant.
Background: World Cup Upset and Open Debut
Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in Atlanta on Wednesday eliminated the English side from the FIFA World Cup semifinals, a result that sparked widespread celebration across Argentina. The following morning, Pulcini entered the Open after qualifying by winning the Latin American Amateur Championship in a playoff in Peru. His presence marked the first Argentine representation at the championship that year.
Key Figures
- Mateo Pulcini – Argentine amateur golfer, Open debutant.
- Enzo Fernández – Argentina’s midfield star whose goal prompted the celebrated gesture.
- Royal Birkdale Golf Club – Host venue for the 2024 Open Championship.
Round Statistics
- Final score: 75 (+5) for the first round.
- Birdie putt distance: 40 feet on the 18th green.
- Overall field: Pulcini was the only Argentine competitor among a multinational roster.
Crowd Reaction and Light-Hearted Jeering
A few spectators offered playful boos as Pulcini stepped onto the first tee, referencing the recent football loss for England. Pulcini described the jeering as “light-hearted” and noted that the boos were limited to “a few.”
Pulcini’s Remarks (Official Responses)
Pulcini emphasized that his celebration was not intended to mock England’s defeat. He said he “didn’t want to do anything to make fun of the match that you guys lost because the tournament here has been unbelievable.” He also highlighted the supportive atmosphere, stating that “people were being great. Fans were spectacular. They were cheering for me as well.”
Criticism & Opposition
The only opposition recorded was the brief jeering from some fans on the first tee, which Pulcini accepted as part of the event’s fun atmosphere. No formal complaints or disciplinary actions were reported.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was pretty excited, and that came to my mind, and I did it.” — Mateo Pulcini
- “People were being great. The fans are spectacular. They were cheering for me as well.” — Mateo Pulcini
- “Enzo’s goal, for sure.” — Mateo Pulcini
- “I didn't want to do anything to make fun of the match that you guys lost because the tournament here has been unbelievable.” — Mateo Pulcini
- “I was expecting a few boos on the first tee, and they came, some of them, but there were almost none.” — Mateo Pulcini
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All five source excerpts describe the same sequence of events, score, and reactions. No discrepancies or missing details were identified.
What’s Next
Pulcini will tee off for the second round of the British Open on Friday, seeking to improve on his opening-day total while the tournament continues amid heightened interest following Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
