The BBC have apologised for commentator Peter Alliss' sexist comment about the wife of Open winner Zach Johnson, describing it as "inappropriate".

Alliss, 84, caused a backlash on social media as he commentated on the playoff between Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman on Monday at St Andrews.

The American was lining up a putt to secure victory when the camera showed Johnson's wife Kim Barclay, prompting Alliss to speculate how they may spend the prizemoney. "She is probably thinking - 'if this goes in I get a new kitchen'," he said.

That led to outrage on Twitter, with Nick Faldo’s manager Lesley-Ann Wade among those to complain.

“Peter made a light hearted comment which was inappropriate and we apologise if anyone was offended,” said a spokesman from the BBC on Tuesday.

Alliss had also provoked controversy on Saturday night when cameras showed third-round leader Paul Dunne being hugged by his mother as he came off the course.

“Ah, that must be mum. Perhaps he likes older women. I don’t know but I hope I got the right one,” he said.

Alliss, who has worked for the BBC since 1961, was criticised in April when he claimed that attempts to give women equal rights in golf have “caused mayhem”.

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