SCOTTISH golf star Paul Lawrie swung into Glasgow to join in the European Championships festivities taking place across the city.

Ahead of the inaugural European Golf Team Championships at Gleneagles – the only brand new event at Glasgow 2018 and which tees off today – Scotland’s last major championship winner got to grips with gold in an urban environment as part of the Festival 2018 celebrations.

The 1999 Open champion acted referee to a unique challenge match at the King Putt’s: Putting Holes in Happiness Crazy Golf Course – curated by artist Rob Kennedy as part of Festival 2018, the cultural programme that runs alongside the championships.

The Tontine Lane crazy golf course will host a challenge match between Marc Chapman, the current MiniGolf World Champion, Andy Wilde, the reigning British Masters MiniGolf Champion, BBC golf anchor Eilidh Barbour and Scotland Rugby Sevens captain Scott Riddell.

Lawrie said: “It is great to be here in Glasgow to see first-hand both Glasgow 2018 and Festival 2018 in action.

“King Putt’s: Putting Holes in Happiness crazy golf course as well the Have a Go activity at Glasgow Green is a fantastic way to bring golf to crowds as part of a multi-sport environment.”

He added: “Today will be a historic moment as the inaugural European Golf Team Championships tees off at Gleneagles.

“The Championships are a hugely innovative and exciting format and will provide a historic moment for equality in sport with men and women competing together in the Mixed Team event on Saturday.”

Festival 2018 is part of the 11-day long cultural celebrations in the city throughout the games, which includes a packed programme of activities in George Square. And thanks to a small spell of sunshine yesterday afternoon, hundreds of revellers gathered in the City Centre to catch up on the day’s highlights on the big screen.

Some of the event’s younger participants took time out to play in some of the attractions – including a quick space hopper tour around the square.

Later in the evening, dozens turned out for a unique concert experience to celebrate the city and its co-host Berlin.

Glasgow Meets Berlin: a Gala Celebration allowed fans to meet through a live link, with audiences in George Square and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, on the European Mile in Berlin, experiencing the musical delights of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and the Universität der Künste in Berlin together.

While sport fans soaked up the festival atmosphere throughout the city, Team Great Britain had one of its most successful days in the games so far, bringing home a total of five gold medals.

Cyclist Matthew Walls took home the top prize in the men’s elimination race, whilst diving stars Eden Cheng and Lois Toulson celebrated first place in the women’s 10m synchronised diving. Fellow diver Jack Laugher followed in their footsteps with his men’s 1m springboard prize.

Scots swimming star Duncan Scott hit the jackpot in the men’s 200m freestyle competition, while the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team, made up of Ellie Faulkner, Kathryn Greenslade, Holly Hibbott and Freya Anderson were also crowned champions.

The team’s swimming awards continued with Ben Proud and Georgia Davies taking home silver medals for the men’s 50m butterfly and women’s 100m backstroke respectively.

Molly Renshaw followed closely behind, receiving the bronze medal for the women’s 200m breaststroke.

Track cyclist Jack Carlin’s performance in the men’s keirin earned him a bronze medal and James Heatly also came third in the men’s 1m springboard. Despite Team GB missing out on a medal in yesterday’s mountain biking action, the area surrounding Cathkin Braes was filled with excitement as spectators gathered to watch dozens of cyclists compete in the men and women’s cross-country events.

A total of 85 competitors battled it out to be declared the mountain biking champion as they raced around the popular country park, which is known for its biking trails.

And, today the streets are expected to be filled once again as the massive cycling time trials take over the city.

In what is said to be the most exciting day of the competition so far, more than 100 entrants will race around the city centre and its surrounding areas as they compete for the coveted gold medal. However, it will spell chaos for commuters with buses diverted and almost 100 roads closed throughout Glasgow.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

Cycling Road Race within Glasgow City Centre and Metropolitan areas – Finals 8.45am to 11.45am and 12.45pm to 3.15pm

Almost 100 roads will close to accommodate 104 cyclists who will race round the city in a bid to take home the coveted gold medal. Both the men and women’s time trial events will take place tomorrow with Alex Dowsett, Harry Tanfield and Geraint Thomas flying the flag for the men’s side, while Hayley Simmonds is the only British woman to compete.

Diving at Royal Commonwealth Pool – Qualifiers 9.15am to 11.15am

The women’s 10m platform preliminary competition will kick off the day with the final due to take place later in the afternoon, with the mixed synchronised 3m springboard slotted in between. Yesterday’s medal winner Lois Toulson will join fellow Team GB member Robyn Birch in the first race of the day in a bid to up the group’s medal count, which currently stands at 33.

Golf at PGA Centenary Course, Gleneagles – Qualifiers 6.30am to 5.15pm

The “historic” championships will showcase the skills of six British teams, three male and three female, who will compete in four rounds. Today, only all-men and all-women teams will go head-to-head, however, the championships have been praised for introducing a mixed team competition which will take place later in the week.

Peatbog Faeries at George Square from 7.15pm

With support from The Shee, Peatbog Faeries will per form a mix of ‘traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves’ drawing upon jazz and international music as an inspiration to create their unique Celtic dance sound.

inTarsi at Glasgow Green from 5pm

The award-winning show from Catalan company eia will take centre stage in the park for the the second and final time today. The contemporary circus show will feature four acrobats who perform a breathtaking dance routine designed to delve into the “kaleidoscope of human relationships”.

DAY SEVEN TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT NEWS

Today has been described by Glasgow 2018 bosses as the busiest and most exciting day of the games so far.

But the fun of the events brings with it a lot of road issues for those travelling in and around the city.

From 2am to around 4pm almost 100 roads across the city will be closed and many will have parking restrictions in place throughout.

The reason for this is the Cycling Road time trials which will take place from 8.45am to 3.15pm.

It will cause significant road disruption across Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and Stirlingshire and diversions will be in place to direct traffic away from these locations.

The areas expected to be worst effected are George Square, Cathedral Street and High Street, while the M8 and its junctions through the City Centre will be busier than usual.

Key routes to the west of Glasgow, including the Clydeside Expressway, are likely to experience congestion today due to various events.

While local bus services on Tollcross Road and Shettleston Road are likely to be busier than usual before 9am and from 12pm onwards due to the swimming events at Tollcross Swimming Centre, those around the City Centre and Glasgow Green are also expected to be experience congestion in the evening.

Commuters have been advised to use public transport or remain home where possible.