Loch Lomond Whiskies has announced 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie as its new ambassador.

Lawrie, a 30-year veteran of the game who has competed in more than 600 European tour events and represented Europe in the Ryder Cup on two separate occasions (1999 and 2012), joins fellow golf legend Colin Montgomerie in representing Loch Lomond Whiskies.

The Scotch whisky distillery recently struck a five-year deal with the Royal and Ancient Gold Club of St Andrews (The R&A) to become the official spirit of The Open and Women’s British Open.

Colin Matthews, CEO of Loch Lomond Group said: “To be able to bring a player of Paul’s calibre and reputation on board really demonstrates the commitment we have to both growing our brands around the world and growing our presence in golf.”

Lawrie has been working with Loch Lomond’s Master Blender to create the Paul Lawrie Autograph Edition, which is set to go on sale before the world’s best golfers return to Carnoustie in July for the 147^th Open.

AUTOGRAPH EDITION

“We’re absolutely delighted to start working with Paul and know that his Autograph Edition will prove a huge hit with golfers and whisky fans alike,” added Matthews.

In a real life underdog story during the 1999 tournament, Lawrie battled through 36 holes of qualifying before carving a course to a play-off position on Sunday despite starting the day ten shots off the lead.

Ranked 241^st in the world at the time, Lawrie beat off competition from rivals Justin Leonard and Jean van de Velde to lift the prestigious Claret Jug – and remains the last Scot to do so.

Commenting on the partnership, Lawrie added: “I’m genuinely thrilled to begin working with the experts at The Loch Lomond Group, who share my passion for arguably two of the country’s most loved exports – golf and whisky – and I’m impressed with how they’ve established themselves in the sport in such a brief period.”

As part of the deal, Loch Lomond Whiskies will also feature at the Scottish Par 3 Championship, which takes place at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre in Aberdeen on 14-15 June.