Miles Shinkwin says he always knew his cousin Callum would make it to the top in golf – and is in Scotland this week to cheer him on in his first Open Championship.

Miles said: “It’s a massive achievement, you cannot put it into words how big it is, but we have known for a while how good he is and in the last few weeks he has shown everyone else what he can do.”

Boxer Miles, who has himself fought for a British title, said: “He is the most talented in our family by a mile. We have always said to people ‘just wait and see how good he is’ and now he is showing everybody. But he hasn’t surprised me.”

Miles plays off five himself, but says his cousin is in a different league to him when they hit the course together.

He said: “He hits it miles. You just would not believe how far me makes the ball go.

“We play quite a bit together but it’s just another level what he can do. With any sport it’s not about muscle, it’s all about technique. Massive body builders can’t punch for toffee, it’s all about technique.”

The Bushey boxer joked: “The only way I could beat him on a golf course is if I punched him first!”

The light heavyweight recalled that his cousin also used to pack quite a punch as a child as well – and was showing potential as a boxer before concentrating fully on his golf.

He remembered how the Moor Park Golf Club professional had a couple of bouts as a youngster and in those fights he beat two boys who later went on to meet each other in a national final.

Miles said: “He won two out of two and retired unbeaten.”

But golf was always Callum’s number one choice.

Miles said: “His talent was there from a young age. I think he was playing off eight when he was 12 or something like that. It was always golf for him.”

Callum’s dedication has paid off. He’s had the year of his life and came in a share of eighth at last week’s Scottish Open to send him into his first major championship at Royal Troon in confident mood.

He goes into it off the back of securing his second successive career-high finish on the European Tour - having finished in a tie for ninth at the Open de France the previous week - after a blistering last nine holes featuring six birdies.

The Moor Park golfer fired the best round of the final day at Castle Stuart with a seven-under-par 65 to finish on ten-under-par, four shots behind winner Alex Noren from Sweden.

His sparkling form has seen the 2013 English Amateur Champion move up from 81st to 65th in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Miles said: “He’s peaking at just the right time. I’ve known this has been coming for a while and so did he, but he’s the most modest man around.

“I don’t think he will feel any pressure, he’s not money-mad, he just loves golf and he will see it as a chance to do his family proud, which he has already done, and play his normal game.”

And he reckons the crowd at the 145th Open Championship at the South Ayrshire links will really take to his cousin, who along with fellow cousin Liam, he treats like a brother.

He said: “Callum is great to watch, he attacks everything and if he can make the cut that would be another massive achievement.”

The 23-year-old is due to tee off at Royal Troon at 4.16pm on Thursday and will be partnered by fellow Englishman Ryan Evans and South Africa’s Zander Lombard.