Throwback Thursday: Golf’s original meme is born
The Background
Jason Dufner isn’t the most excitable character on the PGA Tour but the 2013 US Open champion is responsible for one of the sports biggest crazes in recent years.
‘Dufnering’, as it has become known to the world, took golf by storm five years ago with fans and players alike copying the famous pose.
The Scene
The 41-year-old was appearing at a local school in Dallas on behalf of a charity following his victory at the Byron Nelson Championship a year earlier in 2012.
Dufner was caught by a local journalist looking, well, fairly perplexed about his situation and even with life in general…
Byron Nelson champ Jason Dufner is in town to promote the tournament and help kids "learn to focus" @mschristine_lee pic.twitter.com/i1cGAgpeq6
— David Watkins (@DWat_Golf) March 28, 2013
Cheer up, Jason!
Dufner said: “The funny thing about it is the photo taken represents how I act all the time. It was a sheer moment of ‘Jason Dufner’ by whoever captured the moment for the 30 seconds I checked out.'”
The Legacy
People were quick to pick up on the photo including Dufner’s good friend Keegan Bradley who was quick to coin the phrase ‘Dufnering’ alongside Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker.
#dufnering @DJohnsonPGA @BrandtSnedeker pic.twitter.com/ktnASZ2aQV
— Keegan Bradley (@Keegan_Bradley) March 29, 2013
Then a host of stars got involved!
@Keegan_Bradley #dufnering pic.twitter.com/X2rTul7jqP
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) March 29, 2013
Hey @Keegan_Bradley I'm just hanging out #Dufnering with @bubbawatson #bellypoppin pic.twitter.com/ZNI1wYrBOg
— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) March 29, 2013
@JasonDufner #dufnering pic.twitter.com/Qt5FVarorc
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) March 29, 2013
Long day of practice capped off by #dufnering on #dinahshore Walk of Champions. pic.twitter.com/8Rq1vYIlZZ
— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) March 30, 2013
It even found its way to the Home of Golf…
Hallowed #Dufnering RT @PaulCampbell91 #Dufnering on the Old Course @JasonDufner @Keegan_Bradley @LukeDonald pic.twitter.com/4JjXxKRyuR
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) March 29, 2013
Betting on The Masters? Here’s who you should back
You can get 10 places each-way on The Masters – but is it worth it?
Tiger is the one to watch at Augusta – now more than ever
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
