The Open Championship returned this weekend, but one golfer will forever be remembered for a notorious cheating scandal that led to a 20-year ban from the sport. Former golfer David Robertson was found guilty of cheating during qualifying for The Open 41 years ago, receiving a lengthy suspension and a $7,000 (£5,219) fine in 1985.
Details of the Cheating Scandal
Robertson, a Scotsman and former British youth champion, was 28 years old when the scandal erupted. He was deemed to have moved his ball to a more favourable lie at least five times, by up to 10 feet, according to one of his former caddies. Caddy Paul Connolly abandoned the course mid-round after witnessing Robertson's behaviour and passed his golf bag to a replacement after just nine holes.
At the time, Connolly said: "I walked off because I couldn't stand what I was seeing." Robertson consistently maintained his innocence over the allegations, but was officially disqualified on the 14th hole of the final qualifying round. This represented the fourth disqualification of his tarnished career. The Scotsman had previously been accused of incorrectly marking his ball on the green and dishonestly completing his scorecard.
Ban and Aftermath
Ken Schofield, then-executive director of the European Tour, said 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 challenged the sanction and was granted amateur status seven years later. During his spell on the amateur circuit, Robertson 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."
The Open Returns to Royal Birkdale
More than four decades after one of golf's most notorious cheating controversies, The Open returns to Royal Birkdale Golf Club this week. Rory McIlroy, who last claimed the championship in 2014, addressed the influence the heat could exert on the layout. He said: "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 [for a practice round]. 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 champion 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."
