Ken Schofield has enjoyed a 26-year reign as executive director of the European Tour, having worked his way up to the top job after starting in the organisation's communications department.

With an administrative staff of 109, the Tour is responsible for the government of more than 100 events worth over �62m in prize money on the European Tour, European Seniors Tour and European Challenge Tour.

Prize money on the European Tour has been a huge issue for Schofield and he is under pressure to find new funds to keep hold of their top players.

Already they have lost Jesper Parnavik, Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer to the American Tour.

Banking to fame

He is known as the man responsible for selling the television rights for golf to non-terrestrial channels.

He is also a non-voting advisor on the Ryder Cup Selection Committee which decides the venue for the American and European clashes.

He recently courted controversy after throwing his weight behind the Welsh bid at Celtic Manor for the 2009 Ryder Cup.

Schofield comes from the Perthshire town of Auchterarder and started his working life in a bank.

One of his claims to fame is that he became the youngest ever bank manager in Scotland.

When he's not making the golfing deals he relaxes by watching Scottish football club St Johnstone - he's also keen on athletics and cricket.