The Open: Andrew 'Beef' Johnston stands by decision to respond to criticism
Last Updated: 23/07/17 6:22pm
Andrew Johnston insists he was right to respond to social media criticism of him ahead of his final round at The Open.
'Beef' had been upset by a poll asking 'is he an inspiration or a clown?', which was instigated by radio personalities, and took to social media to defend himself on Saturday evening.
The 28-year-old returned to Royal Birkdale to card a one-over 71 on Sunday, and afterwards defended his own response via social media, claiming the incident had not affected his game.
He said: "I got in after my round yesterday and then showed a poll saying, am I an inspiration or a clown? And I kind of went off a little bit. It annoyed me.
"I had a few people message me and say 'maybe you should listen to the show'. And it was actually worse listening to it.
"I don't mind being criticised. I think it's good taking people's opinions, to see what I can do better, you know, and if they put a poll out saying, maybe I spend too much time with the fans or I don't concentrate, would he play better, this and that, I'd understand that, I'd totally get that.
"But when he's taking the mickey out of my face, my teeth, and stuff like that, I think it's bang out of order.
"So I was disappointed the way I hit it for the first few holes because I had a really good feeling on the range but it had nothing to do with it [the poll].
"It's out of my head. I just find it bad. What I said, that's it. It's done now. They won't hear another word out of me from it. That's it."
Johnston was delighted with the support from the fans at Royal Birkdale on Sunday as he carded three bogeys and two birdies to finish on one-over 281.
"The fans have been great," he said. "Everywhere I go the fans have been brilliant and I absolutely love it.
"I've never dreamt of being able to walk down 18 on a Sunday Open. It means the world to me. It's the best thing."
Johnston has not been in the greatest form this year, but believes he is close to getting back to his best.
"It's close, man," he said. "I've grinded so hard these four weeks trying to find something, just find an edge, and I just haven't found it.
"But I've been really proud the way I've battled the last four weeks and battled this week. Yeah, it just hasn't been there. But I know it's not far, and you've just got to stay positive."
Johnston finished alongside his fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, who closed with a level-par 70.
The 26-year-old local hero revealed his frustration after struggling to find his rhythm in the final round, and he also remains unhappy with his 76 in the opening round.
"I didn't hit it well enough. I didn't putt well enough," he said.
"After the first day, you know, I'd have taken anything, really, to be playing on Sunday. So it's easy to sort of be frustrated because you wanted to do so well. But to complain would be a bit off, really.
"I wish we could go back and play Thursday again. My middle two rounds were as good as anybody's, but my first round wasn't. And the last round I just couldn't get anything going.
"I wish I could have gave myself a better chance. It is what it is. But, yeah, whatever happened this week it was always going to be a week to remember.
"I'm very grateful for everybody that turned up. It is a home event, home Open. I think it's such an amazing venue, as in crowds, town, course. It's trouble to beat it on the rota.
"Hopefully I'll be back whenever it's next here and have the same atmosphere."