Marker Willie Milne shows how it's done

Willie Milne left the stars in the shade this morning when he proved Carnoustie was playable.

The big Scot, a former Walker Cup player, went round the course as a marker and shot a five-over par 76.

Partnering Martyn Thompson from Camford Magna in Dorset, Milne chalked up three birdies in his round.

It was a performance that the likes of Spanish sensation Sergio Garcia and last year's Open champion Mark O'Meara would have given their right arm for.

Milne, attached as a professional to the adjacent Carnoustie Hotel, was only notified at 8.00am that he would be required to play.

He went out to a rousing reception from the hotel staff and finished two shots clear of Thompson, playing in his first Open.

"I failed to make it through from the regional qualifiers at Glenbervie by two shots so this was a nice experience," said Milne.

"The rules guy told me just to play as if I was in the competition and I was happy to do that.

"I owed it to Martyn anyway as he was playing for real and he was a nice lad to have a round with.

"Mind you I could have had a better score as I finished six, five. But had I been playing in the Open I would have settled for a 76."

He is likely to get the call again tomorrow, although is debating whether to let another professional have a shot.