Aussies pretend to be golfers in North Korean tournament0:29
Morgan Ruig and Evan Shay fooled North Koreans as they ordered custom made Australian blazers to fake an appearance as Australian golfers in a golf tournament. Courtesy: TEN/The Project
North Korea demands Aussie pranksters return to apologise
FURIOUS North Korea has demanded Aussie larrikins Morgan Ruig and Evan Shay return to Pyongyang and apologise for their prank appearance in a golf tournament in the communist state.
Ruig and Shay, both 28, created worldwide headlines after pretending to be members of the Australian golf team and fooling North Korean authorities into letting them play in a two-day international tournament in Pyongyang last month.
The pair, who had been playing polo in China when they decided to email organisers for an invitation, even had fake green golf jackets made up with Australian badges.
But neither Ruig nor Shay plays golf and performed so badly their North Korean caddie told them they had brought shame on their families.
The stunt has brought the lads international fame and they were mobbed by fans on a visit to the Gold Coast yesterday.
Ruig said outraged North Korean officials had now demanded an apology.
“We’ve been told by the travel agent who arranged the trip that North Korea wants us to go back to make an official apology on live TV,’’ he said.
“Yeah, no … we won’t be doing that any time soon.
“Years of hard labour in a North Korean prison doesn’t exactly appeal.’’
The pair, who work in real estate, have been inundated with interview requests as well as invitations to take part in everything from a Somalian golf tournament to a US jousting competition.
Their new-found fame has also attracted thousands of social media followers and propositions from women.
“We’re both single, so we don’t mind that,’’ Shay chuckled.
The pair will play in the Land Rover Polo in the City tournament in Brisbane on November 19.
Originally published as North Korea prank just got very real