David Ayton Sr. (25 May 1857 – 30 January 1931) was a Scottish professional golfer who played in the late 19th century.

He was the son of William Ayton, one of the eleven founders of St Andrews Golf Club in about 1843.

[1][2][3] He was at the peak of his playing form in the 1880s with his best performance, a third place, in the 1885 Open Championship held at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, finishing two strokes behind the winner Bob Martin.

[5] Various sources (including his obituary in the Dundee Courier) refer to him taking 11 at the "Road hole" (the 17th[1]) but a contemporary newspaper report gives his scores there as 6 and 7.

[1] He is best remembered for a fine third place finish in the 1885 Open Championship and for reputedly taking an 11 on the Road hole (#17) on the Old Course which, in fact, never happened.