Scottsdale, AZ …
Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston holed a testing birdie putt at the last that he hoped would continue the outpouring of ‘love’ he’s getting from Phoenix Open fans at TPC Scottsdale.
Johnston, competing in his second only PGA Tour event as a full member, drained a 17-footer on the 18th in a round of a three under par 68 for a one-under par tally but right on the expected cut off mark.
‘Beef’ has been an instant hit since arriving at the course on Monday and attracting a new fan base among the 20,000 raucous fans perched in a three-story full stadium-like setting at the famed par three 16th “Coliseum’ hole.
Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston sharing the love’ with ESPNs Michael Collins. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
On Wednesday Johnston handed our Arby’s cheese burgers to those at 16.
“I just walked up into one of the boxes on 16 and with a bag full of Arby’s cheese burgers and handed them out but not before taking a bite out of the last one I handed out as I was feeling a bit hungry”, he smiled.
And on day two of this $US 6.7m event Johnston threw Arby ‘Curly Fries’ head covers to fans as he headed to the green.
“There is nothing like this anywhere in golf and it’s just crazy, and I would never have dreamt of the love I am getting from the fans over here,” he said.
“Even if I am not playing well there is so many nice comments such as ‘Keep playing well, Beef’ and that means a lot to me.
“It’s just so cool while everyone is offering me a beer out there and I just had to say to him I couldn’t drink them and saying to him that I still have a few holes to play.”
Korean Byeong Hun An, and winner two years ago of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, enjoyed the clubhouse lead with a second straight 66 for a 10-under par total.
