WHENEVER something important happens around the globe, you always have a feeling that someone with Inverclyde links will be in on the action.

This rule of thumb proved to be true yet again when American Zach Johnson won the British Open championship at St Andrews in front of a worldwide TV audience and thousands at the final hole.

Johnson threw his winning ball into the grandstand towards an American who had shouted down to him.

But, as fate would have it, the ball fell short and rolled right down to the feet of Greenock ‘tartan bunnet’ maker John Burleigh, who, as the Tele reported, was in the right place at the right time to grab a piece of golfing history.

Even the irrepressible John — who would come out with a fish in his mouth if he fell into the Clyde — was moved to comment that he really couldn’t believe he had the ball.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, he also managed to get himself on the telly moments earlier when the BBC’s cameras were drawn to his flamboyant Tam O’Shanter bunnet and scarf.

Commentator Peter Alliss, who could see him only from the chest up, observed shrewdly: “I’ve a feeling he’s a local,” before pondering: “Has he got the full kit on?” This comes a year after John also made a name for himself by presenting his hats to Jamaican sprint stars at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

What next for the bold Burleigh?