A part-time supermarket delivery guy is the Open’s best quote

Nicholas Poppleton took the start last Thursday. After his tour, he was the last to speak to the media. It’s a good thing he did.

Poppleton is one of the Open Qualifiers for the 2021 Open Championship, on the field at Royal St. George’s due to a 65-69 performance at West Lancashire Golf Club two weeks ago. He’s also a breath of fresh air, a 27-year-old part-time grocery delivery driver with wit and perspective. And he’s the best quote at the Open.

He was asked about his departure time, 4:16 p.m., late by all accounts.

“Yes, we were taking out the trash. We were right in the back, last man, ”he said.

He was asked about his opening tee shot, a nervous moment for any golfer. He didn’t mince his words.

“I cracked in my pants, but I hit him a few times during the week, so yeah,” he said. “My caddy did a good job trying to relax me. But I don’t think – I think that’s what you’re playing for, right? Everyone dreams of this moment.

“Everyone cracked their pants and completed them first. If you do, you just think I was lucky enough to play in the Open, so it’s just great.

Then he birdieed at No.1, which gave the day a perfect, but unpretentious start.

“Yeah, I just shoveled and shoveled it over there,” he said. “Just luck, really, more than anything. “

Don’t confuse Poppleton’s quick wit with contempt. He is positively pampered by his place in the open field. The 27-year-old takes part in European mini-tours, except when driving delivery for Iceland Foods. Her partner Amber is a radiologist at a children’s hospital who has spent much of the last year working long hours in a makeshift emergency hospital. Poppleton has spent much of the past year in a supporting role, he told the AP. There is no doubt that his good humor helps.

Poppleton’s sister was among the group that watched him compete on Thursday. He complimented her presence as only a British brother could.

“Oh yeah, sister, there were cheers from him. Yeah, she got a mouth on her so yeah, she was screaming and screaming for me.

As for the rest of the crowd?

“When you’re done, they – I think they got fed up and left by then,” he admitted. “I pointed it out in 16 and there were only a few guys from the Greens clapping. “Oh yeah, class! “

“So yeah it was great on the 1st and it was amazing but I think everyone had a long day at the Open and decided it wasn’t worth staying to see Poppleton shoot five time.”

Five more, that’s exactly what Poppleton pulled off. He started with a birdie, then landed a bogey on 2, 3, and 5. He birdie # 6 but landed a bogey at 8, 11, and 12. The birdies came but the bogeys came faster . Not as he had dreamed. But this week is a dream no matter what.

In addition, he takes time off from work.

“Simply brilliant,” he said, describing the first round. We hope his second will be even better.

Dylan Dethier

Publisher of Golf.com

Dylan Dethier is editor-in-chief for GOLF Magazine / GOLF.com, the Williamstown, Massachusetts native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years of brawling over the mini-tours. Dethier graduated in 2014 from Williams College, where he majored in English, and is the author of 18 in America, which details the year he spent at 18 living off his car and playing a round of golf in every state.