Ian Poulter, Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher are among the golfers to have paid tribute to well-known golf broadcaster and journalist Renton Laidlaw, who died on Tuesday aged 82.
The veteran journalist, a former recipient of the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Award for golfing journalism, passed away at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after testing posting for Covid-19 over the weekend.
Laidlaw's career started out on the Edinburgh Evening News in 1957, with the Scot having spells with STV and the BBC before becoming the London Evening Standard's golf correspondent for 25 years from 1973 to 1998.
He commentated on BBC Radio for 15 years and for various other outlets during his time as the Evening Standard's golf correspondent, before taking a role as a full-time broadcaster for European Tour Productions in 1999. He later became a commentator for Golf Channel and other organisations across the globe.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Renton Laidlaw's passing," a statement from the R&A read. "With his distinctive Scottish voice, Laidlaw was one of golf's most respected broadcasters and journalists, and provided great service and dedication to the sport.
In 2013, Laidlaw became the first non-American golf journalist to work at The Masters for 40 years, with his lengthy career seeing him cover 165 majors - including 58 Open Championships and 42 visits to Augusta National.
Laidlaw had been involved in the Association of Golf Writers (AGW) since 1963 and served in several roles, including secretary from 1978 to 1995 and chairman from 1995 to 1998.
The Scot was then president of the AGW from 2005 until he stepped down in 2015, having retired from European Tour commentary at the end of the previous season.
1999 Open winner Paul Lawrie said on Twitter: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Renton Laidlaw a lovely man. RIP."
Fellow Scottish golfer Stephen Gallagher added: "Just heard the very sad news that Renton Laidlaw has passed away he was an absolute gentleman the true voice of golf."