Co Kildare mourns for one of its former residents golf star Wayne Westner

Co Kildare  friends  have paid tribute to tragic Wayne Westner after the troubled golf star shot himself dead in front of his wife.

The South African, 55, lived in Celbridge  for nine years and ran a golf academy here.

It is alleged that he had forced his way into a house where his wife and children were staying in Pennington, South Africa, before he blasted himself in the head.

The occupants of the house had locked themselves in a bathroom while Westner demanded to see his wife.

Pals here say his devastating second place to Nick Faldo at the 1992 Irish Open was a big regret to him. Clubmaker Derek Murray told the Irish Sun: "I'd ask him about the Irish Open and he was raging he didn't win that tournament, because he loved Ireland and he really wanted to win in front of the crowd here.

"He was one of those rare people in golf who had a bit of character about him. He had mad ideas, but I loved spending time with him, I thought he was hilarious.

"Golf can be a bit one dimensional, too many cravats and blazers, whereas Westy was Bermuda shorts.

"He was a tour player and they tend to be a bit closed shop, but he'd take anyone in and he'd speak to anyone."