Poor weather and geography did not help, but there is another reason the grandstands at the sport's most prestigious championship were not full
As Andrew Johnston walked up Royal Troon’s 18th fairway for the last time, he probably took a moment to bask in his surroundings.
Two years ago, the man known as ‘Beef’ was scraping a living together on the Challenge Tour after a shoulder injury had threatened derailed his career.
On Sunday, though, golf’s newest cult figure bathed in the adoration of the crowd, who chanted his now-famous nickname as he marched to an eighth-placed finish at the Open.
It was a joyful turnaround for a player who throughout the weekend lit up the course with his play, exuberance and distinctive bearded grin.
European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke was, inevitably, forced to answer questions about Johnston’s chances of receiving a wildcard spot at the tournament in September.
Clarke played down the possibility – and rightly so.
Johnston has only played in three majors in his career, while there are several candidates who are far more deserving based on the strength of their golf.
What he would bring, though, is a larger-than-life personality and an ability to lift the mood that is so crucial in the sport’s premier team event.
That the 27-year-old – who is 25th in the European Points list – is even being mooted as a potential Ryder Cup inclusion reveals the dearth of big characters at the top of the game.
Golf, particularly in Europe, is sorely lacking in players capable of drawing crowds to the majors.
Even at the Open on Sunday, with two of the world’s best in Stenson and Mickelson going head-to-head for the Claret Jug, several of the grandstands were not full.
It is worrying that attendances at the sport’s most prestigious championship were not great, with poor weather, geography and extensive television coverage all contributing factors.
But if the stars at the top of the game are compelling enough, the fans will travel to see them whatever the cost.
At Wimbledon, people queue for days for a place inside Centre Court and the chance to see Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic in action.
The same cannot be said of golf.
Even now, in the post-Tiger Woods era when the field is more competitive than ever, the sport has struggled to attract spectators.
Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth are great players – if not personalities – and have helped to keep the grandstands packed at the three American majors every year.
That should be the case at the Open, but attendances were disappointing this year.
Staging the event at Troon for the first time since 2004 did little to help. The course has some memorable holes, but lacks the prestige of St Andrews.
That, in turn, meant fewer patrons were prepared to travel to the west coast of Scotland, especially with the weather so poor.
Fewer spectators attended the event this year than 12 years ago, and a similar gap – or longer – until Troon’s next one is to be expected.
Make no mistake, this was a fantastic Open featuring one of the most impressive performances ever at a major championship from Henrik Stenson.
Johnston’s emergence, meanwhile, was a lovely story.
Indeed, seeing him capture the public’s attention so quickly and completely was like watching a scene from a very British Happy Gilmore.
His interviews after each round offered a glimpse of a sportsman simply enjoying his moment, with no overused clichés resulting from years of media training.
In an era of self-driven golfers with personal physios, nutritionists and psychologists, spectators are pining for players who are relatable and charming.
A few more of those like Beef, and the grandstands may be full the next time Troon is chosen to host the Open.
