English golfer Daniel Brown became one of the most talked-about names at the PGA Championship on Saturday, not because of a huge shot or dramatic comeback, but because of a very unusual moment with fans during his round. While walking between the 12th and 13th holes at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania, Brown stopped to pose for a picture with two spectators while all three held cigarettes in their mouths.
Viral Photo Sparks Online Buzz
The moment quickly spread across social media after X user Casey Halpern shared the photo with the caption: “Nothing quite like a mid round moving day dart with Downtown Dan Brown after his 12th hole. There may be no bigger legend on the tour. A true man of the people.” The image instantly grabbed attention online, with many golf fans calling Brown relatable and down-to-earth compared to the polished image often seen in professional golf.
Brown’s Known Smoking Habit
Brown is already known among golf followers for smoking during tournaments. Back at The Open Championship in 2024 at Royal Troon, he was seen lighting cigarettes while surprisingly leading parts of the tournament. At the time, the English golfer openly admitted it had become a way to deal with nerves during high-pressure rounds.
Daniel Brown Finishes Strongly After Viral Moment
Saturday’s round at Aronimink started badly for Daniel Brown after an early double bogey on the third hole pushed him down the leaderboard. For much of the day, he struggled to build momentum and looked set for a disappointing finish. But things slowly changed after his now-viral interaction with fans near the 12th hole.
Brown closed his round strongly by making birdies on each of his final three holes. He finished with an even-par 70 and moved into tied 53rd place heading into the final round of the PGA Championship. While he remains far behind the tournament leaders, the week still marks a major moment in his career.
Career Milestone
This is Brown’s first major championship appearance outside the United Kingdom. His best result so far came at The Open in 2024, where he finished tied for 10th at Royal Troon. He later missed the cut at Portrush in 2025, and before this week, he had never played in either the Masters or the US Open.
Brown’s Candid Admission
Speaking during The Open in 2024, Brown admitted he had been “sneaking” cigarettes during rounds and described it as “a bit of a bad habit that I’ve got into.” Even so, Saturday’s viral moment has now made him an unexpected fan favorite at the PGA Championship.
