Adam Hunter has chemotherapy after leukaemia diagnosis

ADAM Hunter, the man who coached Paul Lawrie when he won the 1999 Open at Carnoustie, is undergoing a course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 47-year-old, who won the Portuguese Open during his own playing career, began to feel unwell with earache towards the end of last year and is currently receiving treatment in a Glasgow hospital.

"I'm going into hospital for nine or 10 days for chemotherapy," said Hunter. "I'm receiving fantastic support in so very many ways from Paul Lawrie and his wife Marion.

"They're terrific, and a massive support, as are Paul's sponsors, Aberdeen Asset, and the Scottish Golf Union."

Hunter, an outstanding young amateur, spent more than two years on a golf scholarship at Virginia College in the United States before turning professional in 1984. His first notable success in the paid ranks came in the 1987 Northern Open while his finest hour came in the 1995 Portuguese Open at Penha Longa, where he got up and down from a bunker to beat Darren Clarke in a play-off.

While Lawrie is now coached by Bob Torrance, he still does some work on his short game with Hunter, who is one of the Scottish Golf Union Academy coaches and has also coached Catriona Matthew.