Moment Justin Thomas leaves ‘even the fish’ ducking for cover at The Open as he shanks ’embarrassing’ shot out of bounds

JUSTIN THOMAS was well placed to make a splash on the final day of The Open.

But unfortunately for the American, it almost came in the Firth of Clyde.

PA

Justin Thomas had a nightmare on the first tee[/caption]

AFP

The American ruined his chances at glory[/caption]

Thomas stepped up to the first tee well in contention on level par, only to destroy his chances with a nightmare hole.

Looking to avoid bunkers down the left of the fairway, his first drive went so far right that one fan remarked “even the fish were ducking.”

Commentator Andrew Coltart pulled no punches on commentary for Sky Sports.

He said: “That’s not the start that you want,” he said. “Give me another ball please. That’s embarrassing. Out of bounds over there. 35 yards out of bounds.”

Ironically, Thomas was so intent on staying out of the sandy bunkers that he ended up hitting a beach.

Thomas was forced to take another tee shot, which he managed to dump straight into the formidable sand traps that caused the issue in the first place.

After missing a short putt for six, the former world No1’s hopes were left in tatters as he recorded a triple bogey to leave him seven shots off the lead.

Thomas did manage to record pars on the second, third and fourth holes in blustery conditions.

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Overnight leader Billy Horschel has explained why he is carrying a West Ham golf bag with him at Royal Troon.

The 37-year-old, who hails from Florida, has been making his way around the course with a Hammers logo front and centre.

Horschel has now revealed that he has the claret-and-blue bag as he is a massive Hammers fan after watching cult classic movie Green Street.

He said: “During my sophomore year of college I moved into a new apartment and the cable wasn’t going to be hooked up for a couple of days so we went to Best Buy and bought a couple of DVDs, one of those DVDs was Green Street.

“I loved the movie, I loved Charlie Hunnam as an actor and obviously the film is about the firms at Millwall and West Ham, from there I started following them.

“Since about 10-12 years ago I’ve been paying really close attention to them since NBC Sports starting showing Premier League games.

“I’m always watching their matches and any Premier Leagues actually, but I follow them [West Ham] very closely and I’m aware of how they’re doing, the transfer window and just a die hard supporter like I am for my Florida Gators.”