As the 150th Open championship got underway in Scotland at St Andrews, Derek Lawrenson revealed that, after covering tournaments including 145 majors and 18 Ryder Cups, he has decided to call it a day.

40 years of following golfers around the world has meant Derek has spent less time at home in Heswall than he would have liked. He'll also be able to play more golf and make the most of a good, left-handed swing and natural talent - which he has deployed on at least two occasions to put me to the sword.

Reminiscing about his career, Derek wrote: "In terms of the Claret Jug, it all began here at St Andrews in 1984, standing behind the 18th green as the incomparable Seve Ballesteros performed his joyous matador's salute. 'This will do for me,' I thought.

"When you think what's happened in golf from that day to this, from the rise of Europe's famous five to every major Tiger Woods has graced; all those great, nerve-shredding Ryder Cups. You'll understand why I feel I've led a charmed working life.

"I must have covered 1,000 tournaments in all and flown over the Atlantic more than 150 times.

"When people ask something along the lines of what was Seve really like, it feels an enormous privilege to think back over plenty of one-on-ones and to be able to say: 'Yes, I can offer something on that'.

During interviews, I saw him break down and cry as well as laugh. I felt the rage that was uncontrollable at times but made him the awesome player that he was.

"Golf is not the easiest sport to write about, and particularly if you work for a British newspaper. With three of the four majors taking place in America, you're invariably fighting ferocious deadlines. 

"It still makes me laugh when I think back on angry letters from readers living in far-flung parts of the UK receiving first edition copies of the paper demanding to know: 'Why the hell have you written about Rory again? Why don't you write about the bloke who won?'

"At least now there is the website where, funnily enough, I do — or did — write about the winner.

"As for myself, I was 23 the last time I watched the Masters or the Open at home on television — younger than my son is now, for heaven's sake! I'm looking forward to doing that, with a glass of wine in hand."

Recently Derek previewed the 150th Open on these pages - to read his feature and see what you make of his predictions, please click or tap here.

The 150th Open got underway early this morning