Old Tom Morris statue unveiled in St Andrews

A statue of the legendary Old Tom Morris has been unveiled in St Andrews.

Golf’s first legendary figure, Morris won The Open four times, and his life has been commemorated in the place where it all began.

Mrs Sheila Walker, his great, great granddaughter, uncovered the sculpture to a warm reception, as the sun beat down over the Fife seaside.

Designed by David Annand, the statue sits on a bronze plinth on the Bow Butts – overlooking the iconic Old Course and the R&A Clubhouse.

Plans to erect the statue were originally touted over 100 years ago but, at long last, the 110% scale bronze work has been brought to life.

• Robert MacIntyre hits out at huge problem facing Scottish golf

• Why 14 LIV stars are allowed to make DP World Tour return

Thankful for the delay was American pair Bill Murray and Kathryn Newton, who attended the ceremony after closing out a practice round on the 18th – arguably the most revered hole of Morris’ portfolio.

After a welcome from Ronald Sandford, the chairman of the project, Roger McStravick – an award-winning author, known for his work on Old Tom, paid tribute to the St Andrean.

He later told bunkered.co.uk it was a “magical” day.

“They wanted to do this in 1909,” McStravick said, “and we’ve finally done it.

“It was a truly special day. Ronald has been carrying a lot of this by himself since 2019 and the committee only came together at the beginning of the year, so we managed to turn this around in 11 months – it was a great team effort.

The Grand Old Man of Golf

A statue of Old Tom Morris has been unveiled in St Andrews by the legendary golfer’s great, great granddaughter, Mrs Sheila Walker 🤩⛳️ pic.twitter.com/VDA58dTrH8

— bunkered (@bunkeredgolf) October 2, 2024

“The statue means everything to St Andrews, he is still the oldest winner of The Open, still holds the largest margin of victory in The Open.

“But it’s how he grew the game which was exceptional – creating over 100 courses and in Ireland. You think of the courses he worked on there, that’s the backbone of Irish golf never mind Scottish golf.

“He was a living legend, and this isn’t rose-tinted glasses, he genuinely was. I still believe he is Scotland’s greatest golfing icon.

“The crowd was magical. I was a bit apprehensive and then Bill Murray walked past, so I felt even more apprehensive!

• Locals hit out at St Andrews Links Trust over golf course access

• Faldo: Golf got ‘carried away’ – now it’s time for the stars to fix it

“It’s wonderful to see so many people from across the town turn out to give Tom a good send off.”

Born in 1821, Morris influenced so many elements of today’s game, from the clubs we swing to the fairways we walk.

He became a club-maker, ball-maker, competitor, Open champion, golf architect, coach and mentor, all in one.

And responsible for capturing it all was Scottish sculptor Annand.

And what a view he has over the Old pic.twitter.com/oFXe6Fh0JX

— Lewis Fraser (@lewisfras98) October 2, 2024

“I was mildly smug, today, I’m quite pleased with it,” he told bunkered.co.uk. “It turned out great and couldn’t be in a better site, overlooking his course.

“I quite like being done with it, but it’s been good fun. I can’t emphasise enough how great the team was to work with.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.