Tributes have been paid to Doug Sanders, regarded as one of the best golfers never to win a major.
Sanders, a four-time runner-up in major events, died from natural causes aged 86.
The American had strong links to the north-east of Scotland with junior golfers from across the world travelling to Aberdeen to compete in the long-running Doug Sanders Invitational with the final held in Aberdeen from 1981.
Among the previous winners was 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, who won the Doug Sanders Invitational when the tournament was held at Newmachar in 1997.
Jeev Milkha Singh, who won the 2012 Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, said he was “heartbroken” to hear about Sanders’ death.
He said: “He was a true legend of the game, but his contribution went well past his 20 PGA Tour wins.
“The Doug Sanders Junior International he hosted every year in Aberdeen was one of the major reasons why I became a professional golfer.
“I met Doug as a 13-year-old when I won his tournament, and he became my friend and mentor. He was the one who played a big part in me getting a scholarship in America.
“He was someone I could always speak to during my NCAA days and later as a professional. Doug is a legend.”
Singh has previously spoken to the Press and Journal about his fondness for the Doug Sanders Invitational and the impact it had on his path to becoming a professional.
He said: “I remember when I played in Scotland for the first time at the Doug Sanders at the Kings Links.
“I was only 13 and I didn’t have any waterproofs at the time. I went there without any because I wasn’t used to wearing them.
“However on the first day I froze and I was so cold I couldn’t even swing a club so I knew I had to buy some waterproofs.
The final of the junior tournament was held in America from 2008.
Sanders, known for his colourful wardrobe on the circuit, won on 20 occasions between 1956 and 1972 but missed out on major glory, with his near miss at The Open 50 years ago the closest he came.
He was atop the leaderboard coming into the final hole at St Andrews but missed a putt from three feet for victory, and in the resulting 18-hole play-off fellow American Jack Nicklaus prevailed on the final green.
The PGA Tour said on its website: “Doug Sanders, a 20-time PGA TOUR winner perhaps known best for being a stylish and flamboyant dresser earning him the nickname, ‘the Peacock of the Fairways,’ died April 12, in Houston, from natural causes at age 86.”
Sanders also finished tied for second at the 1959 US PGA Championship, the 1961 US Open and at The Open in 1966.
But it was his setback in 1970 which lingered as he later told the Sporting News: “I never got so many letters and wires than after the British Open.
“They came from people who said they felt so bad to see me miss winning. Many of them weren’t even signed, just ending with ‘A fan.”’
