The Open pays tribute to Ivor Robson at Royal Troon

The R&A has paid a touching tribute to longtime Open starter Ivor Robson at Royal Troon this week.

Robson, the official starter at golf’s oldest championship for 41 years, died at the age of 83 in October.

He introduced almost 20,000 golfers to the galleries with his infamous “on the tee” message.

And, as Justin Leonard, Todd Hamilton and local favourite Jack McDonald prepared to get the 152nd Open underway, David Lancaster, who was handed the microphone after Robson’s retirement in 2015.

“Before continuing,” he said, “we would like to remember the great Ivor Robson, the starter of the Open Championship for over 40 years.

“We are joined this morning by his daughter, Julia, his son, Phillip, and their partners representing the family.”

A warm round of applause welcomed the announcement.

The R&A has also remembered Robson with a testimonial, which spectators can find next to the first tee at the Ayrshire links.

It reads: “Lovingly known as the ‘Voice of The Open’, Ivor Robson was the official starter at golf’s original major for an incredible 41 years. His first Open was at Carnoustie in 1975 with his last coming at St Andrews in 2015. He didn’t miss a Championship or a tee time in that period.

“Robson, who we sadly lost in October last year at the age of 83, announced 44 different past, present or future Champion Golfers, from Bobby Locke to Brian Harman. “It was a great honour to be the official starter for the greatest Championship in the world,” he said. “I’m privileged and immensely proud. They were all very special.”

“His passing was met with an outpouring of affection from across the golfing world with Tiger Woods posting: “Thank you Ivor for making each one of my Open starts so memorable.””

Another nod to the Englishman can be seen on the starter’s box, with a signature above his name.

Robson, who introduced everyone from Arnold Palmer to Zach Johnson spoke to bunkered ahead of the 151st Open Championship last year.

Despite admitting he missed the Open “enormously”, Robson spoke of enjoying retired life and his remarkable run of 41 championships – recalling his relationship with Seve and lasting hours without food or drink.

“I got involved with my first Open at Carnoustie, and I went up a few weeks later to see Keith McKenzie, the secretary of the R&A, and he asked if he could retain my services for the foreseeable future,” Robson said.

“So, I did every one after that, and it was incredible, I never thought it would turn out like it did.

“I miss it a lot, especially The Open, I miss that enormously.”

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 Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.