Sky Sports commentator Ewen Murray and Guardian journalist Ewan Murray reflect on 15 years of social media confusion caused by their similar names.
Key facts
- •The confusion began in 2011 after Ewen Murray criticized Tiger Woods for spitting on a putting surface.
- •Both Ewen and Ewan Murray joined Twitter in October 2010, which exacerbated the frequency of misdirected social media messages.
- •Ewan Murray often responds to misdirected criticism with a satirical persona, which Ewen Murray says he finds humorous.
- •Ewen Murray began his broadcasting career in 1990 after losing his European Tour card the previous year.
- •Ewen Murray is 71 years old and continues to work as a commentator for Sky Sports.
For 15 years, Sky Sports golf commentator Ewen Murray and Guardian journalist Ewan Murray have navigated a case of mistaken identity on social media. The confusion began in 2011 after Ewen criticized Tiger Woods for spitting on a green, leading to an influx of angry messages directed at Ewan. The two have since embraced the mix-ups with humor, with Ewan often responding to critics of the commentator with satirical, persona-driven replies.
By the numbers
The Origins of the Confusion
The confusion started in early 2011 when Ewen Murray provided commentary on Tiger Woods. Ewen remarked that Woods’s behavior on the green was 'arrogant and disrespectful.' Following the broadcast, Ewan Murray began receiving aggressive emails meant for the Sky Sports commentator. The issue persisted as both men joined Twitter in October 2010, leading to frequent misdirected criticism and occasional praise from the public.
Humor as a Response
Ewan Murray adopted a pretentious alter ego to respond to social media users who mistakenly targeted him. These responses, which Ewen Murray describes as 'very, very funny,' have been shared with professional golfers, including Darren Clarke. While Ewen Murray notes that he ignores most criticism unless it is constructive, he acknowledges that Ewan has faced significantly more abuse due to the online confusion.
Ewen Murray’s Career Path
Ewen Murray, now 71, transitioned to broadcasting in 1990 after a career as a professional golfer. He began his commentary career following a phone call regarding the Desert Classic. Before his broadcasting success, Ewen played on the European Tour, though he lost his tour card in 1989. He began his career in golf at age 18, working as an assistant professional at Walton Heath.
Timeline
- 1989Ewen Murray lost his European Tour card.
- 1990Ewen Murray began his broadcasting career at the Desert Classic.
- October 2010Both Ewen and Ewan Murray joined Twitter.
- Early 2011The first major wave of mistaken identity occurred following Ewen's comments on Tiger Woods.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Sport.
