Thomas Bjorn Surprises Fan Who Ruled Himself Out Of Ryder Cup

Bjorn turned up at Stephen Atkinson's home with the Ryder Cup trophy

thomas bjorn surprises fan

Remember the six handicapper who ruled himself out of the Ryder Cup? Thomas Bjorn paid him a visit with the famous trophy

Thomas Bjorn Surprises Fan Who Ruled Himself Out Of Ryder Cup

2018 European Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn brilliantly surprised the six handicap fan who ruled himself out of this year's match.

Stephen Atkinson wrote into Bjorn last month saying "with a somewhat heavy heart, I must write to inform you that I wish to withdraw from being considered for a wildcard for this years Ryder Cup".

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Bjorn turned up at Stephen's rather lavish Berkshire home and brought the Ryder Cup trophy with him to Stephen's surprise.

The pair then headed out into Stephen's garden for some chipping practice.

WATCH: Thomas Bjorn surprises Ryder Cup fan

Stephen's letter continued, "Whilst I have recently won the West Hill monthly medal (now cut to 6) I fear that I have not made the progress I was hoping for and a world ranking of 52187 still leaves a little room for improvement."

"I had hoped that a good showing in the Open might catch your eye, but I think I am going to have to recognise that my wife may be correct when she describes me as "sadly deluded".

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"I realise that this may come as a shock and removes one of your options, but I am sure there are a number of equally good choices available. In any event the team looks very strong even without my experience.

He then ruled himself out of a vice captain role...

"Also, I do not think I will be available to help as a vice captain as I am the 2018 Captain of the Babalou Golf Society (membership runs into the 20s..) and feel that it will be unfair to both the society and Ryder Cup team if I dilute my time by trying to accomodate both. I am however available before hand if you want to discuss strategy etc. I am particularly knowledgeable about provencal rose wine and may be able to help re wine/food pairings, something that has often been overlooked, I feel, in past matches.

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Once again, many apologies for letting you down and best wishes for Paris

Yours

Steven"

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Let's hope they discussed strategy and wine/food pairings!

Once again, well done to the European Tour and Ryder Cup Europe for the superb video.

The Ryder Cup gets underway at Le Golf National near Paris on 28th September.

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV