Golfing great Thomson farewelled

Family, friends and the old claret jug have gathered to celebrate the life of Australian golf legend Peter Thomson in Melbourne.

The five-times British Open champion was farewelled at a memorial service at the MCG on Thursday after the 88-year-old lost his long battle with Parkinson's disease last week.

Tributes were led by Australian golfer Peter Senior and Thomson's grandchildren, while major winner Wayne Grady was also among the guests.

The service booklet showed a photo of a beaming Thomson clutching the British Open's old claret jug which he won five times between 1954 and 1965.

In a surprise for the family, representatives from the Open's custodians, St Andrews, attended the memorial, bringing the trophy which took centre stage on a table alongside flowers at the front of the room.

The send-off included a piper playing Auld Lang Syne and photos recounting Thomson's life, accompanied by Nat King Cole's classic Unforgettable.

Thomson died at his home in Melbourne surrounded by his family on Wednesday last week.

He is remembered as arguably Australia's greatest golfer.