Vandals attack Old Tom Morris statue in St Andrews

Locals and authorities alike are appealing for witnesses after the new Old Tom Morris statue in St Andrews was vandalised last night.

Thugs snapped a clubhead from the tribute to the game’s most influential figure, just a month after it was officially unveiled.

Golf historian Roger McStravick, who helped lead the campaign to have Morris honoured with a bronze statue in his hometown, shared details of the attack on social media.

“Gutted to say that the Tom Morris statue in St Andrews was vandalised last night,” wrote McStravick on X (formerly Twitter). “They snapped the club off.

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“Needless to say, we are looking at all CCTV cameras including the R&A to see if the perpetrators have been caught in the act.

“If anyone has any information of cameras that overlook the statue, please send me a message. Just mindless.”

Responding to McStravick’s post, former FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel wrote: “Very sad! Hopefully they are caught and fully punished by the law.”

Another social media user said that it appeared as though the club had been cut off with a metal grinder.

The statue was unveiled in St Andrews on October 2 ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Old Tom’s great-great-granddadughter Sheila Walker was amongst those to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with two-time major champion Sandy Lyle and Hollywood icon Bill Murray.

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Designed by David Annand, the tribute sits on a bronze plinth on the Bow Butts, overlooking the Old Course, the R&A Clubhouse and Morris’ old shop.

Plans to erect the statue were originally touted over 100 years ago.

Speaking to bunkered.co.uk at the time, McStravick said: “The statue means everything to St Andrews. He is still the oldest winner of The Open and 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. I still believe he is Scotland’s greatest golfing icon.”

Pics: @R_McStravick

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor