In what might be the most on-brand golf sponsorship deal ever, quick-service sandwich chain Arby’s told For The Win that it had signed a sponsorship deal with professional golfer Andrew Johnston, otherwise known as Andrew “Beef” Johnston.
The 27 year-old English professional golfer gained huge popularity earlier this year when, after capturing the first European Tour victory of his career at the Open de España, he gave a hilarious interview where he talked about wanting to get “hammered.”
Beef quickly became a fan favorite within golf, drawing huge crowds at both the U.S. Open and the British Open last week, where he finished sixth.
And now he’s got a new sponsorship deal to show for it. It’s a rare foray from Arby’s into the business of sponsoring professional athletes, but starting at the PGA Championship next week, Beef will sport an Arby’s logo on the right side of his shirt and on the back of his hat.
(Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images for Arby’s)
Beef visited the company’s inaugural New York City location in Times Square on Saturday to discuss the Arby’s deal and more, and it must be said, he really is as hilarious as he seems.
Among the snippets from his interview with For The Win.
On how he got his nickname…
“When I was a kid my mate used to say my hair looked like a piece of beef, and it stuck ever since.”
On his favorite type of beef…
“Porterhouse. Porterhouse or brisket.”
On his popularity…
“It’s wicked. It makes me so happy. It’s sport. It’s supposed to be fun. I just want everyone to come out and have a good time.”
On his happy-go-lucky attitude…
“That’s just how I am. I was getting frustrated at the U.S. Open and then someone would shout something funny and I’d just start laughing.”
On his funny interaction with fans…
“Someone tried to hand me a beer last week and I was like, ‘that’s cruel, not now mate, don’t tempt me.'”
On his recent breakthrough…
“After my first win I got that confidence, that belief that I can beat anyone.”
On making Ryder Cup…
“I need a good one this week [at the PGA Championship]”
It was at that point that Beef took it upon himself to start handing out food to the people in the restaurant. It didn’t take him long to master the craft.
“I’ve ordered enough burgers in my life,” he said, “about time I try handing them out for a change.'”
(Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images for Arby’s)
(Photo by Mike Pont/Getty Images for Arby’s)
