'Audibly gasped': Collin Morikawa detail divides fans in victory speech
The 149th Open winner Collin Morikawa captivated the hearts of 34,00 fans sitting in the gallery after capturing his second major, but a small detail in his victory speech had some supporters in stitches.
Collin Morikawa produced a sensational Final Round to claim the 149th 'British Open' and in doing so matched a special Tiger Woods achievement on the PGA Tour.
WOW: Golf world reacts to Open rival's 'petty' Dechambeau sledge
'REALLY BAD': Aussie golfers in 'horrific' chaos at British Open
'THIS IS NUTS': Golf world stunned by 'disgusting' incident
Morikawa held off Jordan Spieth with an ice-cool Final Round to finish on 15-under and claim the British Open at Royal St George's.
“This is by far one of the best moments of my life,” the World No.4 said in front of an adoring 32,000 fans.
But the American, unwittingly, caused a stir on social media after referring to 'The Open Championship', as the British Open.
“To see some of the best crowds I’ve ever seen, I look forward to my trip every year to the British Open to see you guys," he said.
While the major is commonly referred to as the British Open in America, outside of the US many golf traditionalists refer to it as 'The Open Championship'.
Many fans took to social media to have a laugh at Morikawa's passing comment.
During his victory speech, Collin Morikawa referred to #TheOpen as the “British Open” and said he was honored to be the “championship winner of the year.”
I believe the R&A has enough reason to confiscate the Claret Jug at this point.— Trenton Daeschner (@TrentDaeschner) July 18, 2021
Proper round of golf from @collin_morikawa to win @TheOpen.
What a week! So good to have it back and the fans were amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Morikawa would even have won with a 1 shot penalty for calling it the ‘British Open’ 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/0YgLaE5k2u— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 18, 2021
Collin Morikawa just called it the British Open. 🇺🇸#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/v5oTAgZD5V
— The Plugged Lie (@PluggedLiePod) July 18, 2021
I audibly gasped
— Dr. Chim Richalds (@greysonmichaels) July 18, 2021
Got the crowd on his side just before hitting them with a "British Open." Never liked Morikawa more.
— Garrett Morrison (@gfordgolf) July 18, 2021
Collin Morikawa calls it “The British Open” 👀
It’s official— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 18, 2021
Phil Mickelson addressed the debate last week.
The golf great took to social media to explain his view on whether it matters if the major is called one or the other.
Every year I come over here, there’s a debate on if it’s the Open or British Open. The Earl of Airlie referred to it as the British Open when awarding Bobby Jones the Claret Jug in 1930 at Hoylake. Both are acceptable 😎
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) July 13, 2021
Fans praise Collin Morikawa's speech
Morikawa may have been aware of his comment after finishing with a thanks to 'The Open' before praising the support of the crowd.
Regardless, the classy American received widespread praise for a mature speech in a time when golf is filled with enigmatic characters.
Nothing but class from @Collin_Morikawa.
A very deserving champion. pic.twitter.com/FNEBzVsN9a— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 18, 2021
Collin Morikawa. Mature. Wise. Poised. What a great speech.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) July 18, 2021
Wonderful speech by Morikawa. Hopefully the @RandA brand police allow him to take the Claret Jug home after a “British Open” and “Championship Golfer of the Year” drop #TheOPEN
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) July 18, 2021
What a great Championship speech from Morikawa. This guy is just A+.
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) July 18, 2021
The 24-year-old American joined golf legend Tiger Woods as the only men to have won two majors (The Open and the PGA Championship) by the age of 25.
The packed galleries, enjoying a memorable finale after last year's cancellation, roared on Spieth.
But despite a return to his best, he was unable to catch Morikawa, finishing 13 under, and left to rue his bogey-bogey finish the night before.
with AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.