It was rare but stunning sunrise today over the east coast of Scotland and the Crail Golfing Society.

It was also day three of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and given the late tee times for many of the $US 5m tournament’s leading stars what better way to spend the early morning than a game of golf.

Euan McLean’s a very good friend and also Chief Golf correspondent for Scotland’s leading newspapers – the Daily Record and Sunday Mail. 

So I organised for Euan and myself to tackle the world’s 7th oldest golf club.

Unfortunately, Euan played the perfect guest whipping me 5 & 4 and I’ve promised that never again will I show him the lines off the tee.   It was Euan’s first game on the Balcomie course and he played absolutely out of his socks, and in fact, came home in just two over par for the back nine that translated into 22 Stableford points.

Anyway it was a superb morning and one of those rare days in Scotland where you were glad to have made the effort to get up early and witness such a fabulous sunrise.

Hereunder is a selection of snaps from the morning – click to enlarge.