Should pro get Open Championship invite for warm-hearted gesture?

Earlier this week, Brandon Matthews and a golf fan with Down syndrome reminded us all that there are things more important than wins and losses.

As Nick Menta reported for Golf Channel, Matthews saw his chances of playing at The Open vanish when, while he was standing over an eight-footer that would’ve extended a playoff, he heard a yell from a golf fan in the crowd. The sudden sound caused him to flinch and miss the putt, ending his dream of playing at Royal St. George’s.

Afterwards, the tournament director explained to Matthews that the person who yelled in his backstroke was a golf fan with Down syndrome who couldn’t contain his excitement. Matthews immediately asked to meet the fan, and when he did, gave him a heart-warming embrace.

The story went viral, and on Monday, ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt took a moment on his show to praise Matthews. He waxed lyrical about the golfer’s actions, and even floated the idea of awarding him an exemption into The Open for his “class” and humility following the incident.

Watch the full clip below: