RYDER CUP captain Thomas Bjorn stunned the fan who sent him a cheeky letter with a surprise visit – and the trophy itself.
Six-handicapper Stephen Atkinson sent the Dane a hilarious letter explaining why he would not be part of the showdown with America.
In the note that went viral after Bjorn tweeted it, Atkinson wrote that he was pulling out “with a somewhat heavy heart” after his wife called him “sadly deluded”.
Desperate to see the man behind it, European skipper Bjorn travelled to the self-proclaimed world No 52,187’s house looking to make him change his mind.
Bjorn, 47, said: “I received this letter last week from the wonderful Stephen Atkinson withdrawing from the Ryder Cup process and [I’m] very disappointed.
“But as he can’t be with us in France, I’m going to take this little baby and see him and see what he’s missing out on.”
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Flabbergasted Atkinson, who also turned down the vice-captain job because it clashes with his role in the Babalou Golf Society, answers the door saying, “This has got way out of hand!”
Bjorn then goes into Atkinson’s back garden at his house in Ascot, Berks, to watch him hit some pitch shots.
And the European Tour legend is quick to ensure the trophy is out of harm’s why should Atkinson hit a shank.
The West Hill golf club member said afterwards: “I’m blown away. Opening the door and seeing Thomas there, I couldn’t believe it.
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“I went to play golf and I came into the club and everyone said, ‘We’ve seen the letter’ and I thought, ‘How the hell?’
“To hold the actual trophy with so much history behind it is just amazing.”
Europe take on Jim Furyk’s America side desperate for revenge after the 17-11 mauling at Hazeltine in 2016.
The Ryder Cup takes place in Paris from September 28 – 30.
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