AN incredible true story of a Barrow crane driver who hoodwinked his way into the British Open - despite having never played a round of golf - is coming to cinemas very soon.

'The Phantom of the Open' is a biopic depicting the life of Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist who managed to gain entry to the British Open Golf Championship.

Born in Manchester in 1929, Flitcroft captured the public’s attention by becoming known as ‘the world’s worst golfer’ - achieving a score of 121 in a qualifier of the 1976 open championship.

He became known for entering competitions under various ridiculous names and came away with outlandishly high scores.

After qualifying in 1976, he subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.

Flitcroft lived in Barrow with his wife Jean where he became a crane operator and died in 2007.

Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance stars in the film, which was previously titled 'The Fantastic Flitcrofts', alongside acclaimed actress Sally Hawkins and Rhys Ifans.

'Paddington 2' writer Simon Farnaby wrote the screenplay based on his own book of the same title that he co-wrote with Scott Murray.

Cumbria’s Silecroft Golf Club manager Diane Clark said: “I’m sure a film like that would be fantastic. You do not see a lot of films on golfing lines, it is not a topic that you see very often."

Zeffirellis cinema in Ambleside has expressed an interest in showing the film upon its release.

A spokesman said: “We would be very interested in showing this film. A picture like that we would have no hesitation about that.

“It’s got such a good connection to the area which people will enjoy and of course it’s got Mark Rylance in it.”

Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement. “We know audiences will be delighted by this underdog tale, brought to life by director Craig Roberts with the incomparable Mark Rylance and Sally Hawkins, comedic and humane, both at career peak.”

The Phantom Of The Open is set to open in UK cinemas from November 5.