David Robertson, a former golfer, was handed a 20-year ban from the sport after being caught cheating during qualifying for The Open Championship in 1985. The Scotsman, who was 28 at the time, also received a $7,000 (£5,219) fine. He long protested his innocence despite the findings.
The Cheating Incident
Robertson, a former British youth champion, was judged to have moved his ball to a better lie at least five times, by up to 10 feet, according to his former caddy, Paul Connolly. Connolly walked off the course after nine holes, handing the bag to a replacement, stating: "I walked off because I couldn't stand what I was seeing."
Robertson was officially disqualified on the 14th hole of the last qualifying round. This marked the fourth disqualification of his career. He had previously been accused of wrongly marking his ball on the green and falsely filling out his scorecard.
Ban and Aftermath
Ken Schofield, then-executive director of the European Tour, commented on the ban: "It is a sad day for golf. The decision was taken with a view to protecting the integrity of the game and as a warning to everybody. We do appreciate, though, that the great majority of golfers play the game the way it was intended."
Robertson appealed the penalty and was granted amateur status seven years later. During his time on the amateur scene, he said: "The hardest part is people looking at me. I just want to get on with my golf, but everyone puts this unnecessary pressure on me. Every game I play is like a cup-tie."
Open Championship Returns
Over four decades later, The Open returns to Royal Birkdale Golf Club this week. Rory McIlroy, who last won the tournament in 2014, discussed the impact of heat on the course: "The course is primed for an amazing week. It's as linksy as links gets. It's a lot different than when I was here a few weeks ago. It's not quite as green, the rough isn't quite as juicy - it's still long, the fescue, but it's a little thinner because of the weather we've had."
The six-time major winner added: "I think I can play the course a little more aggressively than I could, so I'm excited by that possibility, but it's a great test. The changes they've made to the golf course over the last few years, I think it's going to be a great golf tournament that tests all aspects of the game."
