The world of golf has paid tribute to John Jacobs, the 'founding father' of the European Tour and two-time European Ryder Cup captain, following his death at the age of 91.

Yorkshire-born, he had lived in Lyndhurst in the New Forest for the past two decades.

He led the 1979 and 1981 Ryder Cup teams, the first two competitions to feature a combined European side. He was awarded an OBE in 1997 and inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame three years later, In 1954, Jacobs led the calls for the modernisation of the game, to include an increase and better distribution of prize funds.

He took up the role of tournament director-general of the PGA Executive Committee in October 1971 and went on to establish a 'Continental Swing' which embraced the French, German and Spanish Opens, with the latter becoming the first official European Tour event at Pals Golf Club in Girona in April 1972.

As well as helping transform the professional game, Jacobs also influenced generations of golfers through his coaching methods.

The likes of Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Jose Maria Olazabal are just a small selection of names who sought Jacobs' advice.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: "This is an extremely sad day for everyone connected with the European Tour and our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family and his many friends across the world of golf.

"It is an honour to hold the role as the fourth chief executive in the history of the European Tour and I never felt that more than when I had the privilege to spend several hours with John at his beautiful home in the New Forest last year.

"His memory for the details around the creation of the Tour were incredible and, quite simply, without his vision and determination, the European Tour we know today wouldn't exist. He was an esteemed businessman and a world renowned golf coach but above all that, a true gentleman.

"There was no-one like him and he will be sadly missed."

Ken Schofield, who took over from Jacobs at the helm of the then fledgling European Tour, described Jacobs as "a great man - a giant in the game of golf."

He added: "A champion and a Ryder Cup player in his own right, but John will be defined as one of the great coaches of our time - through his teaching of the game at all levels and in all corners of the globe.

"For ourselves at the European Tour it is suffice to say that, as the Tour's Founding Father, he was chosen by his peers to set everything up - which he did brilliantly - inspiring everybody who cares for the tournament game.

"We will miss him - but his indelible link will remain large."

Chairman of the European Tour David Williams added: "John Jacobs was a visionary and an exceptional human being who was a true Founding Father of today's European Tour. We will guard his legacy and we have much to live up to."

Veteran golf commentator for the BBC Peter Alliss added his tributes, saying Jacobs was "ahead of his time and was a huge figure in the world of golf."

Alliss added: "Today, he would be an absolute giant if you were talking about the same sort of position now to 40 years ago.

"He did everything and he had everything - he was a good-looking man, he had charisma, he could speak, he had ideas, he listened and he was a huge asset to the European Tour.

"He and Ken Schofield worked well together and between them, laid the foundations for the successful business the Tour is today. He will be sadly missed."

Jacob's impact was not lost on the modern professionals.

2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said: "He is a man I have known and respected throughout my career, not just as a pioneer in golf coaching but as a godfather to the European Tour and Ryder Cup."

Players also took to social media to pay tribute to Jacobs.

Sweden's Thomas Bjorn, who will captain the 2018 European Ryder Cup team, said on Twitter: "RIP John Jacobs. One of the finest men I ever met. Thank you for everything you did for our wonderful game! #openthedoorclosethedoor"

England's Ian Poulter wrote: "Sorry and sad to see the news of #JohnJacobs.. #RIP thank you for everything you did for the game of Golf."