Crossword Genius

Minor celeb in golf becomes scathing (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blistering

'scathing' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'minor celeb in golf' is the wordplay.
'minor celeb' becomes 'blister' (a B-lister is a celeb less famous than an A-lister).
'golf' becomes 'g' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'blister'+'in'+'g'='BLISTERING'

'becomes' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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