A spectator got hit with a golf ball on Saturday at the US Open. That's not really uncommon. However, getting hit by a major winner doesn't happen all that often.
That's what happened to an Open fan at Pebble Beach, when Henrik Stenson struck him with his second shot on the par-4 16th hole.
How a pro shows remorse varies from player to player, and the pro can give the struck fan a souvenir, some money, a handshake or something else. What Stenson did in this case was particularly interesting. Stenson laid down with the fan and his girlfriend, hanging with them both for a few moments. Then they took a photo together.
Henrik Stenson nailed a guy in the crowd with his second shot on 16. Guy was on the ground, down for the count. Henrik laid down for a photo this bloke will never forget. Henrik Stenson - absolute character 👏 pic.twitter.com/1YIE6pJUW4
— Evin Priest (@EvinPriest) June 16, 2019
Stenson ultimately made bogey 5 on the hole.
Asked after the round about the run-in with the fan and the impromptu photo shoot, Stenson said it seemed like the man who got hit may not have been feeling the sting as much.
"It feels like he's had maybe one or two refreshments that might have eased the pain before the strike," said the Swede.
Stenson shot 1-under 70 on Saturday to get to 4-under total through three rounds. He'll start Sunday facing a seven-shot deficit to Gary Woodland, but he'll be doing it with a clear conscience.
