Retired lawyer Ian Pattinson has driven his way into office as captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
The traditional ceremony – which sees the new captain hit a drive on the Old Course first tee to the sound of a cannon firing – took place at 8am on Friday morning.
He succeeds Fife businessman Neil Donaldson in the role.
The dad-of-two, from Cambridge, said: “I am honoured and privileged to serve as captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and to be an ambassador for both the club and The R&A as it carries out its responsibilities to the sport around the world.
“It was humbling to see so many people behind the tee this morning and I am very grateful to everyone who came along.
“I was very happy and relieved to hit a decent drive.”
‘Really lucky’
Tradition dictates St Andrews Links caddies line the fairway to retrieve the golf ball and exchange it for a gold sovereign – bearing the head of King Charles – from the new captain.
Mike Lowe was the man in the right place.
The 42-year-old, from Manchester, said: “This is my first season caddying in St Andrews and I have been looking forward to this all year.
“I got down here early, which is just like me being too eager.
“But I ended up being the one to return the ball, so I am really lucky.
“Ian is a lovely man. He congratulated me and told me all about how special the medal is.
“I wished him well for his captaincy and the season ahead.”
Highly-experienced golf referee Mr Pattinson was a rules official at The Open from 1995 to 2018 and has also officiated at The Masters.
His other previous roles include serving as the R&A’s rules advisor to the BBC and Sky Sports.
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