Beef steals the show at Troon

A star has been born at The 145th Open Championship and his name is Andrew Johnston. Or Beef as you may know him.

The cries of Beef have been heard echoing around Royal Troon this week as the popular Englishman has made his way up the leaderboard to have a chance of claiming a maiden Major Championship.

This must all have seemed a long way off in 2012 when he lost his card after just a single season on The European Tour, but he bounced back in some style, winning the Challenge Tour in 2014 with two wins and seven further top tens.

Once back on The European Tour his win at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation in April thrust him into the limelight as he promised to "go home and get hammered with his mates and see his mum" after his victory.

An appearance and a tie for 54th at the US Open made his name in the United States and he will now head into the final round of his home Major in fourth place after rounds of 69-69-70.

That the man has an excellent golf game has never been in doubt but it is his cheery demeanour, interesting facial hair and even more interesting nickname that have the fans flocking to him, and he is loving it.

It's been amazing, man. I absolutely love it, that's what it's about - Andrew Johnston

"A thousand people come and watch it and if they really enjoy themselves that's what it's about. You want them to go home with good memories and go, 'oh my God. I've had such a great day.' That's what it's about."

For many, the on-course adulation could prove a distraction but not for Johnston, who still manages to produce golf of the very highest standard with the crowd calling his name and even bringing props to the course.

"Once I'm playing a shot, it's down to business and then the switch comes back on and then I concentrate," he said. "But once I've hit the shot or I'm walking somewhere I'm going to acknowledge it because I don't need to concentrate in."

As for what makes him so popular, Johnston simply believes he is just an ordinary guy who tries his best to get on with everybody he meets.

I guess I'm just really down to earth and at the end of the day I'm just a normal guy who happens to play golf - Andrew Johnston

"I'm no different to anyone else. That's how I see it. I'll talk and chat to anyone. It really doesn't bother me. I like meeting new people and I don't care where they're from and who they are, if they're nice, I get on well with them and I'm going to make friends."

The highlight of Johnston's third round 70 came with a chip-in on the 13th which he revealed made his mother burst into tears. It is shots like that that have got him near the top of the leaderboard and, despite all the attention, he will be all about getting higher up that board on Sunday.

"What is the point of playing if you don't believe or trust yourself or back yourself?" he said. "But there's a long way to go. There are 18 holes. The guys are quite far ahead.

"I'm going to need to play well tomorrow and we'll just see what happens."