GOLFER Chris Paisley and his wife Keri are celebrating the birth of their first child.

The touring professional, from Mickley, announced on social media that Ella Rose Paisley was born last Friday.

He said: “Keri gave birth to the beautiful Ella Rose Paisley, weighing 7lb 8oz. Both are doing great.”

Chris withdrew from this month’s British Masters event at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, to ensure he did not miss the birth.

But Ella didn’t arrive until five days after the tournament.

The couple live in America, which is an ideal base for Chris who plays on the United States PGA Tour, as well as the European Tour.

His brother Andy Paisley, who is head professional at Hexham Golf Club, said: “This is great news for Chris and Keri and the whole family is over the moon.”

A former junior player at Stocksfield Golf Club, 32-year-old Chris won the South African Open in January of this year.

Keri, who is from Johnson City, Tennessee, famously caddied for her husband during his emphatic win in Johannesburg, because his regular caddy was unavailable.

Chris is set to return to action at theTurkish Airlines Open in Antalya, Turkey, which starts next Thursday (NOV 1), and at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, on November 8.