A major investigation is under way after the body of a man was found on one of Scotland's most famous golf links. The body was on open ground between the 11th tee and gorse.

A major investigation is under way after the body of a man was found on one of Scotland's most famous golf links.

Greenkeepers preparing Carnoustie's Buddon course for play yesterday came upon the badly burned man with flames still licking around his body shortly after 6.30am.

The body was on open ground between the 11th tee and gorse.

Detective Chief Inspector Graham McMillan, who is leading the investigation, said that they were trying to identify the victim who was still smouldering when police officers arrived.

The area was immediately sealed off as a crime scene and the body was covered by a tent as officers began their investigation.

Following a forensic examination at the scene, the man's body was taken to the police mortuary in Dundee and a full post-mortem will be carried out today in a bid to determine the exact cause of death.

Asked if the man could be a murder victim, DI McMillan said: "We are treating this as a suspicious death at this time. We are keeping an open mind on the cause of death and we have officers working just now trying to establish just exactly what had happened."

He said that no potential weapon had been found and nor had any inflammable liquid been found in the immediate vicinity although the search of the area was continuing.

He said it was difficult to estimate the age of the victim because of the state of the body but it is understood items in his possession may have provided police with possible leads to his identity.

DI McMillan said he was also keeping an open mind on the exact timing of the tragic events.

"It was fairly awful weather last night but things can smoulder and burn for a fair time," he said. "One of the main lines of inquiry for us is to identify this man and thereafter we will be able to start to put together his movements prior to his discovery on the golf course.

"We have had some calls in relation to people over whom there are some concerns which are just being checked out.

" But there is nothing definitive at this time.

"The only thing I can ask for is that people who have concerns, perhaps for people that they haven't seen or expected to meet today, to contact Tayside police. That would be of help."

The contact number is 0845 600 5705.

He said it could be a long and complex investigation.

Staff at Carnoustie links were yesterday in a state of shock at the horrific discovery.

One greenkeeper, who is a colleague of the two men who found the bodies, said his friends were "pretty shaken up by the event" and were still speaking to the police.

The greenkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said: "They were just doing their routine rounds, checking the greens, when they saw this body on fire.

"They're both pretty shaken up about it as you would imagine. You couldn't imagine a more horrendous thing to come across.

"This is the worst thing to happen in Carnoustie for a long time.

"We've been told not to speak to the press and we've also been told not to use the mowers or cut any grass, so we're at a loss as to what to do."

Police initially closed down all three Carnoustie golf courses, including the Burnside and Championship courses, but they were reopened at around 9.35am.

Colin MacLeod, Carnoustie Links' golf services manager, said: "We don't really know what is going on. We're just trying to look after our golfers the best we can."