Smoking Golfer Leads
English Golfer Dan Brown Leads Open at Royal Birkdale, Openly Smokes During Play
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Key Points
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Brown logged seven birdies, including three straight around the turn, en route to a 4-under 66 that put him atop the Open leaderboard in the first round.
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Brown has a highly personal branding aside from golf: 10 tattoos (three of which are little birds) and a BeersForeBogeys YouTube channel that reportedly has around 4,000 subscribers.
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During the round, Brown admitted he smoked seven to eight cigarettes, a stress-relief habit he repeatedly brings to the course.
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Brown warned there could be a big drop-off by Sunday if smoking is restricted, saying, 'There might be a big drop off by Sunday if I'm not allowed.'
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The baked, parched Royal Birkdale fairways were noted as a potential fire hazard due to discarded cigarettes, highlighting safety concerns tied to Brown’s habit amid dry conditions.
Dan Brown, a 31-year-old English golfer, shot a 4-under 66 to take the clubhouse lead in the first round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. SI reported that Brown entered as a surprise contender, carding seven birdies — including three straight around the turn — to sit alone atop the leaderboard.
Brown did it all while smoking seven to eight cigarettes during the round. Afterward, he quipped "Sorry, Mum" to acknowledge the habit. Riverbender noted that Brown is one of the few remaining smokers on the professional golf circuit.
Seven Birdies and Seven Cigarettes at Birkdale
Brown's round was nearly flawless. He made seven birdies against no bogeys to post a 66 on Birkdale's demanding links. The stretch around the turn was his best stretch — three straight birdies that pulled him clear of the field. News SSBC reported that the score gave him the outright clubhouse lead heading into the afternoon wave of players.
Brown admitted the cigarettes are a stress-relief tool, not just a habit. "There might be a big drop off by Sunday if I'm not allowed," he warned, according to 2News. The dry, baked fairways at Birkdale raised safety concerns about discarded cigarettes — a fire hazard on parched links turf.
Brown's Colorful Brand Beyond the Scorecard
Brown is not your typical tour pro. He has 10 tattoos — three of them small birds — and runs a YouTube channel called BeersForeBogeys that has around 4,000 subscribers. Macon described him as a golfer who has built a highly personal brand apart from his results on the course.
This is Brown's fourth career major. He is not a household name on tour, but he knows how to play in big moments. The Birkdale links suit his game. He adapted quickly to the firm, fast conditions that have tripped up bigger names.
A Flash of 2024 Glory at Royal Troon
Brown first caught the world's attention at the 2024 Open at Royal Troon. He led after the first round before finishing tied for 10th. SI noted that the Troon performance showed Brown could compete at major level — even if he could not sustain it through 72 holes.
Now at Birkdale, he is in the same position again — first-round leader, doubters circling. He had a rocky stretch of form after Troon before finding his game again. If he can keep his score and his cigarette count manageable, Brown will carry genuine momentum into the weekend.
Can Brown Survive the Weekend Pressure?
The Open is a 72-hole test. First-round leaders often fade. Brown knows this better than anyone after Troon. But Birkdale's firm, windswept conditions reward control and course management — areas where Brown showed clear skill on Thursday. Riverbender reported that Brown plans to keep doing what is working.
The bigger question may be whether officials let him keep lighting up. The dry course conditions have stewards on alert for fire risks. Brown joked about a "big drop off" without his cigarettes. Whether that was humor or a genuine warning, the answer could come by Sunday.
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