David Johnson of Mayville, N.D., lived out every sports fan's fantasy Thursday afternoon, showing the world's best he could beat them at their own game.
Johnson was one of hundreds of spectators watching Ryder Cup practice rounds at the No. 8 green at Hazeltine, and after Team Europe's Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson all missed a 10-foot putt, he decided to give them a piece of his mind.
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Stenson called him out, asking if he could do any better. Johnson, clad in jeans and a red windbreaker, came inside the ropes, grabbed a putter, and lined it up. Before he could putt, Rose walked over and put a $100 bill on the green next to the ball to raise the stakes.
Johnson then checked his line one more time, stood over the ball, and knocked it dead center, starting his celebratory walk to the cup before the ball even dropped and continuing with a double fist pump and congratulations from the European players.
Has the @rydercup started already??🇪🇺🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/s6EImcbnZv
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) September 29, 2016
"I razzed them a little bit and they heard me, which is insane, and they brought me out, which was more insane," Johnson told reporters after his moment of glory (via the Pioneer Press). "I haven't fully realized what just happened, but overall that was a pretty cool experience. I'd go ahead and do that again if I could."
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Johnson eventually tracked down his challengers and got them to sign his $100 bill, which he said he plans to frame.
Here's the signed $100 bill David Johnson of Mayville, ND won off Henrik Stenson after heckling the Euros on 6th green #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Ky4LbHZE3F
— Brian Stensaas (@stensation) September 29, 2016
Competition has yet to begin at Hazeltine, but it appears the U.S. is already one up.
