Aberdeen Press and Journal photographer Colin Rennie has been crowned an Open championship winner.

His entry to the Royal & Ancient’s competition to find the best golfing photograph from the 136th Open Championship at Carnoustie has been voted in first place by the judging panel.

The image of a despondent Sergio Garcia on the edge of the green after letting the title slip from his grasp captured the mood of the final day.

Colin said: “While Padraig Harrington was the winner, I really felt the big story was the way Garcia’s last round had unfolded.

“I had seen him during the first three days when he really attacked everything. On the last day he perhaps held back and it let Harrington come through.”

The experienced photographer is a keen golfer, a member at both Banchory and Peterculter, and plays off a handicap of nine.

He said: “The final round fell on my day off but because I had been at the tournament all week, and enjoy working at the golf, I decided to carry on to the end.

“I had lots of nice pictures from throughout the week, some classic action shots, but I felt the one of Garcia, with the Claret Jug in the foreground, was a bit more offbeat and summed up the atmosphere.

“I’m delighted the judges agreed and honoured to have won the competition, especially having worked alongside so many talented photographers from across the world at Carnoustie.”

He said it was getting so close to the action that allowed him to appreciate how difficult it was for players – and see first-hand the pressure they are under.

The winner’s prize is £1,500 and the image is set to feature prominently at next year’s Open at Royal Birkdale.