Sandy Lyle REFUSES to admit this is his last Open after emotional final hole
SANDY LYLE admitted he had “a lump in his throat” as he was given a hero’s reception on the 18th green at Carnoustie yesterday, but refused to accept it was definitely his last Open as a competitor.
The final hole seemed determined to swallow up the 60-year-old’s final 25-yard putt for a birdie to finish with a final 76 to end nine over par to close the period for which Lyle gets an automatic place in the competition as the winner of the tournament in 1985.
However, the Senior Open champion next week will be entitled to compete at Portrush and Lyle even hinted he may consider trying to qualify for one last shot at St Andrews in 2021.
“If I win next week, then I’ll be back again,” he said. “More punishment! No, you want to leave the gates open. There’s always a chance I could play my way back into the tournament. I will try. I won’t totally, totally give up."
There’s always a chance I could play my way back into the tournament. I will try. I won’t totally, totally give up
“If it’s up here in Scotland and I’m living up here, I might just give it a run in the next few years. That would be it.”
In the meantime, he has at least that memory of his reception on the 18th to cherish.
“I was on cloud nine walking down the 18th,” Lyle said. “It’s quite a spectacular view to come down there.
“To make birdie was extra special. I managed to stay away from crying, but I definitely had a lump in the throat.”