Ernie Els had a rough Thursday at the Open. (Getty Images)

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It sounds like a line from a MMA fight rather than from the oldest golf championship in the world.

Ernie Els told the New York Times on Thursday that he was rattled all day during his opening-round 79 that included a grotesque triple bogey on the first hole. 

Here's the triple bogey:

Els said he was reeling after smoking a fan in the face off the first tee.

"I hit the guy right in the face, there was blood everywhere," he said.

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"I felt pretty bad about it. I was trying to hit it left, which I did, but obviously I should have told the starter to move the people left, but I didn't do that.

"I hit him right in the face and it's like a bullet coming at you and you fear the worst."

He really did seem shook up about it.

"I really felt bad, hopefully he's better now. I was thinking about him still on the green. I started missing easy putts and it was a nightmare but I just hope the gentleman is feeling better. He didn't look too good."

Not that it's an excuse for missing what was probably an 18-inch putt but you have to consider it when a pro like Els is doing amateur things like that.

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