Golf fans from all over the globe arrived in the Granite City in their droves today as the Scottish Open teed-off in spectacular style.
The Royal Aberdeen course was bustling with spectators who were treated to a day of record-breaking performances – despite the blustery conditions.
Fans praised the performances of stars including Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy – and others made sure their local heroes knew the crowd were behind them.
Organisers were also pleased with the opening day’s attendance of 11,532, slightly up on day one of last year’s event at Castle Stuart near Inverness.
Two groups of golfing buddies bonded over a game of putting at the Scottish Open’s public village.
The quartet competed against each other at the Press and Journal’s green at the venue.
Bryan Thom, 52, and pal Bob Ferguson, 66, both from Dunbar, were battling against Royal Aberdeen members, father and son team George and Matthew Henderson.
George, of Midstocket, said: “We’re both members here at Royal Aberdeen,
“I have been a member here since 1988. It’s just great to see the players playing here on the home course. It’s also great to see the course being publicised the way it is, and internationally as well.”
He added that he and Matthew – who has been a member at the club since he was 10 – were both backing the Aberdeen competitors.
Mr Henderson said: “I certainly like to support the locals here. So I’m backing Richie Ramsay or Paul Lawrie.”
Mr Thom, who works for Marie Curie Cancer Care and is in Aberdeen for the full week, was rooting for Stirling golfer Craig Lee.
He said: “My daughter’s boyfriend is a caddy for Craig Lee, so I’m hoping he does well. My mum stays in Bridge of Don so I managed to get some lodgings for the weekend.”
Mr Ferguson added that he found the Royal Aberdeen course “fantastic”.
Elsewhere, a retired American couple revealed they had travelled across the Atlantic to attend the event.
Bob and Mary Kuopus made the journey from Lake Superior, in the Eagle Harbour area of Michigan, specially for the Scottish Open.
They arrived in Scotland last week, and have been enjoying a two-week stay in the north-east.
Former teacher Mrs Kuopus said: “We came via Michigan, Chicago, Frankfurt and Aberdeen.”
And the couple have embraced their stay in Aberdeenshire, enjoying some of the north-east’s finest golf courses in the run-up to the tournament.
Mr and Mrs Kuopus have been staying at a B&B in Culter, and have so far played at Peterculter, Aboyne and Ballatar, as well as taking in the coastal scenery at Portsoy, even likening it to their hometown.
Mr Kuopus, said: “We live in a place just like here.
“I have played golf five times so far since we arrived. We have got friends from Scotland who now live in New Zealand, and we are here with them. We’re golfing together and we are enjoying it.”
The retired sales executive said: “We’re now living the good life and we love to travel.”