Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
The face of a man without regret.
CNN
—
As Europe’s victory in Ryder Cup confirmed, a fan can’t help but make a splash – quite literally.
Tommy Fleetwood ensured that Europe would win against the USA on a tense final day when he birdied the 16th hole in his singles match against Rickie Fowler.
The excitement proved too much for some, including a spectator who was on the green side for the most important moment. The fan ran across the hole and made a beeline for the water hazard, removing – and then dropping – his hat before plunging.
Fleetwood’s caddy, Ian Finnis, initially signaled for the fan to stop, but his efforts proved futile, the gentleman bold and decisive as he ran across the green.
The moment proved a hit on social media, with many commenting on how the man – with silver hair and wearing glasses, a black bow and a white shirt – shared in the likeness of Colonel Sanders, the founder and face of KFC.
As he emerged from the water and headed back across the green — apparently losing his glasses during the plunge — the audience began chanting for “one more time.” The fan duly obliged, ran back the way he came and this time entered the danger in a more beautiful way with a dive.
This clearly sparked a trend among European fans at the Marco Simone Golf Club, some of whom followed suit by jumping into the water on other holes – hopefully remembering to take their phones out of their pocket first.
Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/Getty Images
The 18th hole of the Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome: the perfect place for swimming, apparently.
The celebrations followed Europe’s 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome, which meant the USA’s quest for a Ryder Cup berth would last up to 30 years.
The competition came to a tense end on Sunday as the USA looked to mount a comeback in the singles, but Europe finished victorious as Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre and Fleetwood all won their matches, while Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry secured the tie.