A drunk driver has admitted knocking down and killing a Scots caddy who worked with some of the world’s biggest golf stars.
Neil Fyfe, 28, was fulfilling a dream by caddying for the likes of Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson and Luke Donald, when he was mowed down in May in the US.
Aberdeen-born Mr Fyfe was cycling home from his first day at Sebonack Golf Club at Southampton on Long Island in New York state when he was hit by a 4×4.
The driver Jesse Steudte, a 22-year-old student, has now admitted manslaughter for recklessly causing Mr Fyfe’s death.
He also admitted further charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated during a hearing at Suffolk County Court.
The court heard he drove through a stop light at a crossroads while driving a 1990 Jeep when he struck Mr Fyfe who was cycling across a pedestrian crossing.
Witnesses tried to resuscitate him at the scene before paramedics arrived. He was transferred to Southampton Hospital by Southampton Volunteer Ambulance service but died shortly after arrival.
Steudte had previously denied being under the influence and claimed he had suffered an epileptic seizure before the tragedy on May 2 this year.
He is due to be sentenced in February and could face up to 15 years behind bars.
Mr Fyfe was pursuing his dream of working the coveted PGA Tour and had become friends with basketball legend Michael Jordan after caddying for him. He had just landed a job at the private Jack Nicklaus-designed, Sebonack Golf Club.
He had been set to return home to Aberdeen in October to be with his fiancée Jennifer Mouncey, 25.
On social media, Mr Fyfe had described himself as a “Scottish caddy trying to make the big time”.
At the time of the tragedy his sister Angela, from Aberdeen, said: “I was proud of you Neil and everything you were aiming to be and what you had become.
“You were my little brother and I wish I could trade places with you.”
Yesterday, Angela said the family did not wish to comment on Steudte’s guilty pleas.
A spokesman for the New York State Court System confirmed Steudte had admitted the charges during a hearing on Friday and was released on bail to await sentencing.