Ryder Cup legend Panton dies aged 92

FORMER British Ryder Cup player John Panton has died aged 92.

Panton, who was the oldest surviving Ryder Cup star, represented Great Britain and Ireland in the competition on three occasions, in 1951, 1953 and 1961.

The Scot, who was born in Pitlochry, Perthshire, in 1916, won the British Match Play Champion- ship in 1956 and finished fifth in the Open Championship the same year.

Panton also played 12 times for Scotland in the World Cup.

European Tour board of directors chairman Neil Coles said: “He was the last of that generation.

“I played with John in my first Ryder Cup in 1961 so I have a lot of very fond memories of him. He was a very nice man, a quiet man but very well respected throughout the game. He was a tremendous iron player in his time and a very good senior player. He won the British Seniors a few times and would have loved to have been at Sunningdale this week. He will be sadly missed.”

Peter Dawson, secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, said: “John Panton was a magnificent golfer, a model professional and a true gentleman. Although he lived a very full life, it is sad to see him go.”