Fast forward to the year 2039 and Eldrick Tiger Woods, currently serving a third term as President of the United States, is accepting applause from the huge crowds surrounding the final hole at St Andrews.
He stands on the recently refurbished Swilcan bridge aided by his grand-daughter Heather whom his eldest son, Tiger Jr, named in deference to his father's love of Scotland. Herself a scratch golfer, she has steered her grandfather's hova-trolley through the humps and hollows as it floated over the Old Course.
President Woods will be aged 66 on New Year's Eve and since regaining his amateur status when he was first elected Governor of his home State of California in 2028, has taken part in the US Masters - as an honorary starter - and the Open championship.
Though he only takes part in the first nine-holes at Augusta with fellow veterans Sir Colin Montgomerie (76) Senator Phil Mickelson (69), he always plays at least one round at The Open before moving on to prepare for the British Senior Open, which this year is being held at Hoylake, where he successfully defended his Open title in 2006.
President Woods says that when he has taken care of daily political business he plays at least nine holes on the specially constructed par-3 floodlit course in the grounds of The White House. He also has an underground 18-hole putting course when the freezing Washington winter sweeps in.
 Tiger kissed Claret Jug in 2000 and 2005
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Much to the annoyance of his security staff he also likes to compete during his summer vacation in the Senior section medals at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles where he's an honorary member.
Commented President Woods, who was made an honorary fellow of the local University when the Open was staged here in 2010: "I never tire of coming back to St Andrews. It's still the Home of Golf, and will always have a place in my heart for me and my family."
Little has changed on the surface, since the President won his second Open at St Andrews in 2005. The Old Course Hotel is celebrating its 25th year as 'a virtual museum' and a 2,000 vehicle underground car park built under the town to maintain its historic appearance, was introduced in 2015.
Since the R&A took over the St Andrews Links Trust in 2030 and opened its new headquarters by the 12-course St Andrews academy, the old clubhouse has been doing a roaring trade with its waxworks of former Open champions. They recently introduced a 2-for-1 seventy Euro ticket
Though he never won a claret jug, the image of Mr Ian Poulter is always a big draw for the visiting youngsters with his outrageous trousers. Hard to believe, but in 2005 he was a bit of a fashion icon and could play a bit, too.
Today he's the eccentric head of the multi-national 'Poults' hair, fashion and beauty corporation with its headquarters in Leighton Buzzard.
When he has competed in the Super Senior category of the British Senior Open, alongside his contemporaries like Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, President Woods is expected to meet Prime Minister Tim Henman for the G4 conference at Chequers.