VIDEO: Sean’s the new cub chasing Tiger’s tail

Little Sean Smith first picked up a golf club when he was three, and started playing competitive golf when he was six.

Now aged seven, and a member at Kirkintilloch Golf Club like his father and grandfather before him, he has a host of medals to his name and has already caught the eye of a a number of coaches.

Sean’s dad John (49) won junior and senior championships at Kirkintilloch, and his grandfather, also called John, was a top club player, before tragically collapsing and dying on the course at Kirkintilloch when he was just 49.

John junior was so traumatised he gave up his membership of the course and didn’t play golf again for 15 years.

But once he came back to the game it wasn’t long before Sean wanted to follow him.

John said: ‘‘He got his first par at five at Haggerston, and his first birdie when he was six on the 15th at Kirkintilloch.

‘‘Sean’s handicap is currently 39 and his target is to get to 20 some time this year. He is hoping to be in single figures by the age of ten.’’

Sean’s interest was really sparked when he joined his dad on the couch back in 2010 to watch the Ryder Cup.

‘‘He was glued to it and sat next to me watching it all. We’ve got a video of him wearing his wee red wellies putting a ball and hitting it into nets.’’

Sean joined Kirkintilloch Golf Club – following in his dad and grandad’s tradition - and is also a member at Haggs Castle.

He’s coached by Karyn Burns, a PGA professional at the Glasgow Golf Academy and competes in the Stephen Gallacher Foundation.

Playing in the under eight category he took part in five competitions when he was still six, taking gold twice.

Sean said: ‘‘I like to putt, long and short, and I just keep on doing it. I am determined to get it right. I want to become a professional.’’

His idols on the circuit are Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, of whom he says: ‘‘He is not good at everything, but he is especially good at golf!’’