British Open 2026: Argentinian golfer teases Royal Birkdale crowd after England's World Cup loss

Mateo Pulcini's closing birdie on Thursday likely won't play an important role in this week's Open Championship, but it will be remembered by those in attendance at Royal Birkdale. And not too fondly.

Pulcini rolled in a 40-footer for birdie to finish a tough opening 75, but his celebration is what caught people's attention more. Grinning ear to ear, the 25-year-old from Argentina put his hands on the sides of his head.

So, what's the big deal? Well, that's the celebration Enzo Fernandez went with after scoring the tying goal in the World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and England the day before. And the wounds are still very, very fresh in that part of the world after Argentina's 2-1 comeback victory. Have a look:

Too soon, Mateo. Too soon.

Just kidding, we love it. And we loved Pulcini talking about it after. He said he heard some boos on the first tee, but that the crowds were great all day.

"Fans are being spectacular. They were cheering for me as well," said Pulcini, who wore a cap with Argentina's flag on the back. "I wasn't having a good—the score wasn't good at all. I wasn't having a good day, but this on 18 make it a little bit better."

And when asked about the Falklands celebration controversy by Argentina following the win, Pulcini said this.

"I saw it. I don't want to talk politics, just golf and football," Pulcini said. "I wasn't even going to put football with golf, but then I made a 40-footer. So I was excited."

We don't blame you, Mateo. And there's one English player he wants to see in particular after making quite the prediction.

"With Matt Wallace I had [talked about the game], yes, sir," Pulcini said. "I told him we were winning 2-1. I need to cross paths with him. I was right."

Which should have led to an obvious follow-up question: What score is Pulcini predicting for Sunday's Argentina-Spain World Cup final?

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Is it the British Open or the Open Championship? The name of the final men’s major of the golf season is a subject of continued discussion. The event’s official name, as explained in this op-ed by former R&A chairman Ian Pattinson, is the Open Championship. But since many United States golf fans continue to refer to it as the British Open, and search news around the event accordingly, Golf Digest continues to utilize both names in its coverage.