on a hot streak
British Open 2024: What it’s like to streak in a major? Our interview with the ultimate authority
David Cannon
All of the greats are warming up for Royal Troon. Tiger Woods is hitting tee shots right next to the Postage Stamp flag, Dustin Johnson is trying on massive watches and Mark Roberts is probably out there stretching his hammies and contacting his lawyer.
Although not a household name, you’ve probably seen Roberts (more than you might want to see) if you watch a lot of golf … or frankly any sport. The Englishman is somehow a renowned streaker who has sped through three Open Championships, multiple Olympics, an FA Cup Final, the Running of the Bulls, a Super Bowl and even a dog show.
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Golf Digest's Alan Pittman did what many haven’t been able to, tracking down and pinning Roberts for a 2018 interview that discussed Roberts’ notorious history and run-ins with security.
“The police have treated me pretty well over the years. Most of the time they're laughing their heads off as they chase me,” Roberts said. “If they want to charge me, they'll keep me for a few hours and then release me with a court date. But half the time they only hold me until the sporting event is over.”
Perhaps Roberts' best-known golf moment was back in 1995 at the Old Course at St Andrews for the Open Championship, right after John Daly bested Costantino Rocca in a four-hole playoff. In big, bold lettering, Roberts got someone to write 19th Hole on his back with an arrow pointing you know where. He then made a run for it.
Jacqueline Duvoisin
Jacqueline Duvoisin
Bob Martin
Jacqueline Duvoisin
“As the tournament drew to its climax, my friends gathered around me, so I could get undressed without attracting the attention of the Beverly Hillbillies [cops] and half the cast of Baywatch around us and we were amazed at how big it was (my belly),” Roberts wrote.
“As I ran, I seemed to gather pace because of the hills and slopes on the course. When I looked around, I was being chased by my new mate and the cast from Benny Hill. All the police who had come after me were running in a straight line; about four of them in total. I couldn’t help laughing as I ran, especially when I heard my mate say “Slow down, will you?” I turned around again and saw him going red in the face, sweat pouring off him, as well as the police, and then saw George Bush and Prince Andrew clap and cheer as I ran past.”
Roberts has streaked through two other Open Championships and even the 2006 Ryder Cup before play finished—which was not his best moment.
“I could only see half the 18th green from where I was. Someone said it was over, so I went, but the American [J.J. Henry] is lining up his putt. I'm stark naked with ‘hole in one’ written on me back with a ball wedged between me ass cheeks. It was so quiet. I looked around, and thought, Oh, man, I'm so sorry. I walked back toward the crowd and two guards came at me, and I thought, The hell with this, so I ran across the green and did a flying belly flop into the lake.”
With the Open Championship coming this week, the self-proclaimed “Streaker King” doesn’t look to be making the Royal Troon trek this year. He recently posted on Instagram from the BeachWalk Koh Rong in Cambodia, but perhaps this is all a ploy to surprise us on Sunday. If we know anything about Mark Roberts, it’s he’s as ballsy as it gets.