A Largs charity swimmer has gone viral after jumping into a lake in Rome when Europe sealed the Ryder Cup.

John Burleigh he couldn't resist the opportunity to make waves as he took the plunge at the 16th hole of the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome when Tommy Fleetwood ensured Europe would regain the trophy from the USA.

 

John is well known in Largs as he has co-ordinated the Gillian Saltire Appeal charity swim from Cumbrae to Largs for many years. 

He is a keen swimmer and has taken part in the challenge each year it was running up until 2019.

The event has raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for the 'Saltire' accommodation based at the Moorings on Largs seafront, providing people recovering from cancer with the opportunity to visit and stay in the town.

John's incredible run and jump was captured on video, which has now been shared and viewed by millions all over the world.

Channel Five news presenter Dan Walker shared the tweet of the video which has now amassed 3.7 million viewer alone, and has even been nicknamed 'Colonel Sanders', of KFC fame, after the clip went viral.

John, 70, told the BBC:  "The sun got to me and I was lost to delirium. The weather had been too hot but the banter and company had been fantastic.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: John Burleigh with Ryder Cup star Bob McIntyre of ObanJohn Burleigh with Ryder Cup star Bob McIntyre of Oban (Image: John Burleigh)

"I had predicted it was going to finish at the 16th. The American conceded right in front of me and I just took off.

"I hadn't planned it but I had said to a golf friend in Largs that it was so exciting that I could jump in the lake.

"And when we won it was so inviting I just shot off."

The charity swimmer turned social media star said that cool dip felt 'lovely' after the sweltering Italian temperatures over previous days.

But his swim also resulted in John being late for meeting his wife Heather who was arriving at 6pm at the airport and he was supposed to be picking her up on a scooter.

John said: "I didn't get into trouble but a policeman came up and wanted a word with me. They checked my ID and I apologised and said the sun had got to me.

"I showed him my driver's licence but while we were doing this people were coming up and getting selfies with me. And more and more people started jumping in the lake after me."

When John eventually managed to reach the airport, still in his soaking wet gear, he began to realise that his magical moment had been captured and video and was being shared across social media.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: John taking part in charity swim for Saltire AppealJohn taking part in charity swim for Saltire Appeal (Image: Gillian's Saltire Appeal)

He said: "People who were heading home were coming up and showing me the footage and saying I was a legend.

"It was good fun and it was all done in the best possible taste," he said.

John and Heather are now conintuing their holiday in Italy for the rest of the week and is even revelling in his new Colonel Sanders nickname.

John added: "It could have been worse. Someone called me an 'old guy' but I took that on the chin."

"So long as KFC call me up with an offer, I'll be quite happy."