Three of the world”s leading golfers will literally stop the traffic in St Andrews on the eve of the 150th Open Championship.
The trio of Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, along with the ever-popular Padraig Harrington, are to be conferred with honorary doctorates by St Andrews University on Tuesday.
After being honoured the golfing legends will also take part in a colourful procession from the graduation hall along North Street to St Salvator’s Quadrangle, led by a piper and the university mace-bearers.
It follows the success of similar processions held for the first time last month during the series of graduation ceremonies, after Fife Police agreed.
The decision will be welcomed by many of the thousands of people hoping to witness the historic event, who have been left disappointed after failing to secure a ticket for one of the 1000 seats.
The university is awarding Palmer, Watson and Harrington the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of their achievements and outstanding contributions to the game of golf.
The degrees will be conferred by University Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell, a former Olympian and ex-leader of the Liberal Democrats.
The Open week event in the town’s Younger Hall, two days before golf’s oldest major gets under way, is a complete sell-out, a university spokesman has confirmed.
The university spokesman added, “It is possible that some tickets may become available due to late cancellations.”
Any spare tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis strictly between 2pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday from the ticket allocation point at the university’s development offices, North Street, he added.
Those already advised that they have a ticket, will be able to collect it from the development offices from 9.30am on Monday.