Schoolboy Nair inspired at St Andrews

Dhruv Nair, a Dubai schoolboy, drew inspiration from playing alongside two European Ryder Cup players to shoot a round of 89 on the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland this week.

The 12 year old partnered Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher in the pro-am before this week's Dunhill Links Championship and would surely have impressed the pair with his length off the tee and skill around the green as he carded eight pars and a birdie.

"This was a dream come true for him," Ragesh, his father, said.

"Both Graeme and Ross were fantastic with Dhruv. They talked to him all the way around the course about golf and even shared their lunch with him. He was even allowed to practise on the putting green and … as he walked on, Lee Westwood walked off.

"They even gave him the chance to play out the famous Road Hole bunker and were really happy to hand on some tips. They applauded his good shots and, I must say, that both Graeme and Ross were inspirational to him."

Dhruv was given the chance of playing the pro-am after finishing second in January's Emirates Airline Invitational at Yas Links, where he partnered Spain's Pablo Larrazabal.

ncameron@thenational.ae