WHILE the best golfers in the world were making their own history at Carnoustie at the 147th Open Championship, an arguably much more incredible performance was taking place at Somerset’s oldest links, Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club.

At 76 years of age, John Fisher broke the course record with a stunning round of 66 - ten strokes lower than his age.

Golfers rarely break their age and it is considered an amazing feat to do so by one or two strokes, but to smash it by 10 strokes and claim the course record is quite incredible.

Playing in one of the historic club’s major cup competitions, the Grant Cup, Fisher started in style with three straight birdies in typical breezy conditions.

Another birdie at the par 5th hole saw him climb quickly to four under par, a stumble with a bogey 5 at the short par 4 6th did little to deter him as a string of pars saw him make the turn at 34, 3 under par.

Turning back into the prevailing wind saw him make steady pars at holes 10 to 13 and then his round set alight again.

Almost holing his tee shot at the 155 yard uphill par 3 saw him claim a tap-in 2 followed by another classy birdie at the 15th.

After a steady par 5 at the 16th he boarded the 17th hole where many players would be getting nervous about having an outstanding round.

What followed was another flash of complete brilliance as he holed his second stroke from 90 yards for an amazing eagle two.

While the tough 18th hole saw Fisher finish with a disappointing bogey, little could spoil a simply miraculous round.

Perched on the West Somerset coast next to the Butlin’s holiday camp, Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club is Somerset’s oldest links, founded in 1882.

While the course layout has generally remained unchanged, other than one or two new tees to lengthen the course over the years to remain a relevant test against today’s modern equipment, it has rarely seen such a round.

Club captain Doug Hayhoe said: “The course is in wonderful condition and running firm and fast due to the dry summer but this score must be some kind of record.

“To beat your age at all is incredible but by 10 strokes is something very special indeed. What a performance!

“We have looked and found some records of professionals breaking their age by more in tournaments but feel this must be a record for an amateur golfer.”

Fisher was typically modest about his achievement, saying: “I played nicely and had a little luck.”