Golf star becomes instant fan favorite after stopping to smoke a cigarette with crowd in the middle of the PGA Championship: ‘Man of the people’
British golfer Daniel Brown became an instant fan favorite after stopping mid-round to share a cigarette with fans at the PGA Championship on Saturday.
Brown became known for smoking on the course and famously smoked while leading The Open at Royal Troon in 2024.
He returned to Aronimink on Saturday and stood between the 12th and 13th holes for an already iconic photo with two smoking fans.
In the photo shared by X user Casey Halpern, Brown and two fans look into the camera lens with cigarettes in their mouths.
The caption next to the post reads: ‘There’s nothing like a lively mid-round day dart after the 12th hole of the Downtown Dan Brown.
‘There may be no greater legend on tour. A real man of the people.’
British golfer Daniel Brown stops to smoke with fans at the PGA Championship
Brown’s mid-round ‘dart’ seemingly helped his game as he followed with three birdies
Brown has previously spoken openly about the unhealthy habit being a ‘coping mechanism’ for the nerves he experiences playing in major tournaments.
He said at The Open in 2024 that he “sneaked a cigarette or two in” into his golf rounds, calling it “a bad habit I picked up.”
On Saturday, a stoppage after the 12th hole helped calm his nerves again, and he made birdie on each of the final three holes to shoot an even-par 70 for the day.
He had endured an early double bogey on the third hole to drop onto the leaderboard, but his late resurgence lifted him back to T53rd.
He was spotted sneaking a cigarette in his tee box to calm his nerves at the Open in 2024
Although he is extremely unlikely to trouble the leaders on the final day in Pennsylvania, Sunday will mark a new milestone for the Englishman, who has never played in a major tournament outside the UK.
He had the biggest moment of his career when he finished tied for 10th at Troon in 2024 but missed the cut at Portrush in 2025.
He has never played in the US Open or the Masters and is making his debut at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.
