One players hopes up in ashes

Golfers carry all sorts of things in their bags. But one player at the United States PGA championship this week may be unique.

American club professional Scott Spence was carrying - or rather his caddie was - his father's ashes every step of the way with him at Medinah.

The ashes were in a little camera film canister inside a plastic bag.

Spence's father died of cancer five months ago and he said: "It's an inspiration. You go through this very difficult game and you need a lot of patience. My dad (a Boston Red Sox player in the 1950s) taught me that.

"He saw me play in the US Open in 1982 and 1988, now he's with me in a different way. It means a lot to me.

"If I make the cut I might deposit a little on the water at the 17th hole."

Some of the ashes are already buried in Phoenix and some is ear-marked for his father's favourite course in New York State, where the family lived until 1973.

"It's respect. I think he's probably enjoying the ride. It's probably a little dark in there, but he's above me and helping me. And hopefully the bag doesn't break open!"