Dan Brown Lights Up At British Open With Smoke-Filled Round

Brown’s Smoking Habit Draws Attention

One of golf’s few smokers, Dan Brown smoked roughly seven or eight cigarettes while carding a 4‑under 66 at Royal Birkdale, giving him the clubhouse lead after the first round. The parched fairways in England’s northwest corner have become a fire risk from discarded butts, a concern the 31‑year‑old Englishman said he’s actively managing. “I’ve been making sure they’re out,” Brown noted, balancing his habit with the tournament’s safety rules. His habit, while unusual on the PGA Tour, is a stress‑relief tool he says he can’t imagine life without.

From Royal Troon Comeback To Current Birkdale Challenge

Two years ago Brown burst onto the scene at the British Open when, ranked 272nd, he posted a 6‑under 65 to take the first‑round lead at Royal Troon. He entered the final round tied for second and finished a respectable tie for 10th, an experience that convinced him he could compete with the world’s elite. Despite missing cuts in his last four events before the Open, he found his form again at Birkdale, where seven birdies—including three straight around the turn—propelled his rise. “I feel like I’m a better player now to what I was back then,” he reflected, setting his sights on Sunday.

Personality And Popularity Off The Course

Brown’s striking look is complemented by 10 tattoos, three of which depict tiny birds, and a YouTube channel called “BeersForeBogeys” that already has around 4,000 subscribers. The Englishman shares his name with the author of “The Da Vinci Code,” a coincidence that has helped him grab headlines. His dry humor and cheeky demeanor, like the half‑joking “Sorry, Mum” when asked about his smoking, have made him a fan favorite. Off the fairway, his online presence adds a modern, relatable twist to the traditional golf world.

What Lies Ahead At Royal Birkdale

After a stretch of missed cuts, Brown’s birdie streak and improved putts at Birkdale suggest he could remain near the leaderboard heading into Sunday. He expects to keep smoking during his rounds, admitting a potential big drop if the habit is prohibited. “There might be a big drop off by Sunday if I’m not allowed,” he warned, underscoring how integral the cigarette break has become to his game. The pressure to stay competitive, combined with his unconventional lifestyle, will be a key story as the tournament progresses.