The crane driver conned his way into Open qualifying at Formby in 1976, carding 121 for 18 holes.

He was banned for life but returned four more times using disguises and fake names including Gerald Hoppy.

"My dad loved golf. He had only been playing for a couple of years when he decided it would be a laugh to try to play in the Open," said his son Gene.

Flitcroft died in his local Barrow-in-Furness hospital on Saturday. He had suffered for many years from emphysema.

"He was a real character and tremendously popular. He had loads of friends," added Gene Flitcroft, 44.

"We all loved him and he will be very sadly missed."

American Johnny Miller won the Open at Royal Birkdale in 1976, ahead of Jack Nicklaus and 19-year-old Spanish sensation Seve Ballesteros, but Flitcroft's cheek earned him popular acclaim and widespread media interest.

He was banned from almost every course in the country but still enjoyed practising his shots on the beach until he broke his hip in 2001. His wife, Jean, died the following year.

He is survived by twin sons, Gene and James, step sons Phillip and Michael and four grandchildren.