MOST golfers dream of crossing the Swilcan Bridge to hold aloft the Open Championship's Claret Jug at the Old Course at St Andrews.

But a young player is one of the leading contenders to become the best in the world at crazy golf.

Appropriately Freddie Shaw, 19, from Perth, is studying psychology, given the concentration needed to succeed in a sport which, with man-made obstacles and water traps, is as frustrating as golf.

Mr Shaw is taking on contestants from across the globe in the World Crazy Golf Championship, which takes place today and tomorrow in Hastings, East Sussex.

He said: "I started off playing normal golf but have concentrated on crazy golf, or mini golf as it is also known. I have been playing seriously and competing in the short game seriously since I was 14."

The sport is not helped by its name, with players dubbed "nutters with putters" by the mainstream golfing community. But it has its own amateur tour, similar to the PGA Tour. Mr Shaw said: "There is a lot of skill involved."