David Cannon
By Joel Beall
Broadcaster and journalist Renton Laidlaw, affectionately known by many as the “Voice of the European Tour,” has died at 82.
Laidlaw began his career in his teens as a copy taker before becoming a reporter for the Edinburgh Evening News covering golf in 1962. Over the next six decades, Laidlaw became one of the leading authorities in the sport, transitioning into radio and TV coverage while continuing to write. In that time he covered 165 majors, highlighted by 58 Open Championships, and became the first non-American journalist to cover 40 consecutive Masters tournaments in 2014.
Laidlaw also served as the secretary of the Association of Golf Writers and was an editor of the popular “Golfer’s Handbook.”
Laidlaw became more familiar to American golf fans starting in the mid-1990s, when the Golf Channel began regularly airing European Tour broadcasts on the nascent cable network, his distinguished lilt keeping viewers tuning in just a little longer, or a little earlier, with each tournament.
“Renton’s knowledge, insight, wit and wonderfully distinctive voice made him an immensely popular figure in golf and sport in general,” said R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers. “He was admired by so many of us who grew up listening to his commentary or reading his reports from The Open and the other major championships. Renton made a remarkable contribution to golf over a long and successful career. He will be greatly missed by players and fans throughout the world and by his many friends in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.”
Renton retired in 2015 and was living just north of St. Andrews. He had been struggling with numerous health issues and, according to a report in The Scotsman, was admitted to a hospital in Dundee earlier this week when he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Upon news of his death Tuesday, several prominent players and officials connected with the European Tour offered tributes via social media.
I met Renton Laidlaw when I was 7. He was 22 and came to my parents house every Friday for tea ahead of his column for the Edinburgh Evening News. He was my mentor at the start of my TV career. A gifted broadcaster, an exceptional man in every way. Many hearts are sore tonight.❤️
— Ewen Murray (@ewenmurray77) October 12, 2021
Incredibly sad to hear the passing of Renton, wonderful man and great to our game. RIP ?? https://t.co/mUWLuOfjUr
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 13, 2021
Oh no thats very sad news. Renton documented my whole career from the 75 English Amateur on! He was the most trusted and fair, in the heat of finishing a bad round if i said something daft he’d say maybe you’d like to say that a different way! A very rare quality! RIP https://t.co/NElrWLzgyu
— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) October 13, 2021
The European Tour is saddened to hear of the death of renowned broadcaster and journalist Renton Laidlaw.
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 13, 2021
So sad today to hear of the news that Renton Laidlaw is no longer with us. What a huge gap in our lives covering golf he will leave. Had so many wonderful memories. But Phil Sheldon’s pic of Renton under the desk commentating @PGAChampionship made me smile @GettySport pic.twitter.com/DoxIOwSVo5
— David Cannon (@Cannonball63) October 13, 2021