A GREENKEEPER who tended the fairways at the world famous Old Course assaulted a physics PhD student in a row over their scientific knowledge.

Kevin Rundstrom violently attacked Guy Whitworth at a pub in St Andrews in June during a row that started over the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory.

Mr Whitworth - a PhD student in laser physics - was left with a large scar on his neck.

Prosecutors had claimed it had been caused by Rundstrom smashing a Champagne flute into Mr Whitworth's neck, but a jury removed that allegation from the charge when they convicted the American.

Mr Whitworth, 24, originally of London, told Dundee Sheriff Court he had been out with two friends celebrating his birthday in the Fife town when the group met Rundstrom and one of his colleagues in the town's Vic bar.

After an initial "friendly" conversation, things became heated between Mr Whitworth and Rundstrom.

Rundstrom said they had initially joked about the US science-comedy show The Big Bang Theory. But the atmosphere had turned when he claimed Mr Whitworth had "demeaned" him over his science knowledge.

Rundstrom said: "I described myself as a science major like him - I said I'd studied plant science, elements of chemistry and biology.

"He looked at me as if I was not well versed in biology and chemistry. He was trying to put us down and was directing comments towards me trying to demean me and my friend."

A witness said Rundstrom's friend had at one point gone to the bar and bought bottles of prosecco for the group, served in Champagne flutes.

Shortly afterwards Rundstrom moved to stand beside Mr Whitworth - who is studying the "excited state interactions ­hindering organic optoelectronic devices in specific regard to organic solid-state lasers" for his PhD - apparently to apologise for their earlier row.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson showed the court CCTV footage, that showed a man - identified as Rundstrom - then appearing to strike Mr Whitworth twice, once with each hand.

Mr Whitworth told the jury he was left with shards of glass lodged in his neck and in his mouth after the attack.

He said: "We had several heated discussions and arguments. I remember telling him I could tell he didn't like me and that I thought he was a very unpleasant person to be around.

"I may have called him a t*** or something like that. I don't think there was a verbal response - but there was a physical response.

"There was force applied to the left side of my neck then he punched me in the face. We were separated I was taken to the kitchen and then I realised I was obviously more seriously injured than I had suspected.

"Some glass was taken out of my neck and there was also some in my teeth. There was a large laceration on my neck and a puncture wound on my cheek.

"The laceration needed X-rayed to ensure there was no glass in it and had to be stitched."

Mr Whitworth said that had left a permanent scar - and showed the jury the extent of the injury.

Scott Norrie, defending, suggested Mr Whitworth may have come by his injuries by hitting his neck off a table after the initial punch.

Rundstrom, 25, of Pilmore House, West Sands, St Andrews, denied a charge of assaulting Mr Whitworth to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement on June 14 this year.

A jury found him guilty of the assault, but removed references to smashing a glass off Mr ­Whitworth's neck and causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Sheriff Elizabeth Munro deferred sentence until next month for social work background reports and released Rundstrom on bail.