Businessman William Dewsall had good reason to celebrate his latest participation in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship: his first ever hole-in-one during the third round at Kingsbarns on Saturday.

After 30 years of playing the game, Mr Dewsall (47), chief executive officer of Gable Insurance and chairman of Golf Management International, struck a nine iron 133 yards at the eighth hole.

Mr Dewsall, who lives in Brentwood, was playing with Bradley Dredge, one of the players his company represents. He said later that his caddie had to take some credit for his ace.

He said, “I was going to use an eight iron but my caddie said best hit it with a nine iron. As it rolled up I thought to myself ‘this stands a chance,’ but I was just thinking about putting it from there and then the next thing was that it just rolled in the hole.

“That was my first hole in one and I was absolutely delighted,” said Mr Dewsall, who was playing off a handicap of seven.

“This is my fifth time playing this event. My Dunhill highlight, up until today, was with Bradley in 2006 when we played in the final-day fourball with the eventual winner, Padraig Harrington. That was a great treat but now I have a new highlight.”