Phantom of the Open: Maurice Flitcroft, the World’s Worst Golfer

SOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM STARRING MARK RYLANCE

The hilarious, heartwarming and – unbelievably – true story of Maurice Flitcroft, the World’s Worst Golfer

‘The story of its greatest anti-hero is just what the game needs’ Spectator

When 46-year-old crane driver Maurice Flitcroft chanced his way into the Open – having never before played a round of golf in his life – he ran up a record-worst score of 121. The sport’s ruling classes banned him for life.

Maurice didn’t take it lying down. In a hilarious game of cat-and-mouse with The Man, he entered tournaments again – and again, and again – using increasingly ludicrous pseudonyms such as Gene Pacecki, Arnold Palmtree and Count Manfred von Hoffmanstel (more often than not disguised by a fake moustache).

In doing so, he sent the authorities into apoplexy, and won the hearts of fans from Muirfield to Michigan, becoming arguably the most popular – and certainly the bravest – sporting underdog the world has ever known

‘Hilarious’ Esquire

Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Imprint: Vintage UK
Publication date: 17/03/2022