Lyle apologises -but perhaps too late

Sandy Lyle issued an apology to Colin Montgomerie today, saying he hoped the pair would still be friends.
Sandy Lyle issued an apology to Colin Montgomerie today (Tuesday) and said he hoped the pair were still friends – but there appeared to be little hope of that.
The damage had already been done by the time the former Open and Masters champion told a packed press conference ahead of the Open at Turnberry he regretted bringing up the “cheat” controversy Europe’s Ryder Cup captain was involved in four years ago.
“I feel especially bad if I have jeopardised his preparation for the Open Championship,” said Lyle.
Yet at no time did he withdraw his comment made to two reporters a week ago and splashed across today’s sporting headlines that what Montgomerie did in Indonesia was “a form of what you would call cheating”.
Lyle pleaded the defence of “out of context”, but then added: “It’s all been well documented. It’s all on video. It’s not like I’m pre-fabricating.
“The drop wasn’t close to where it should be. And on course on TV it doesn’t lie.”
Montgomerie’s reaction to that was far from surprising.
Before going out to practise for what could be the last Open of his career, he said: “It’s a rather strange apology to be honest with you.
“It’s nothing much to do with me at all – it’s all Sandy.
“I’ve read it and I’m digesting it and I’ll let you know when I’ve digested it further.
“I’ve nothing much to say. I’m just trying to come down here and compete in the Open and my preparations have been slightly dented.
“I’m not very happy about that at all.”
Montgomerie gave his prize money to charity after the incident of his “wrong drop” came to light and the European Tour players’ committee expressed their dissatisfaction with his actions at the time.
The eight-time European number one had hoped back then a line would be drawn under what became known as “Jakartagate”. He could never have thought it would cause such a storm again now.
What Montgomerie thinks of his fellow Scot for raising the matter again is probably only for those closest to him.
He was due to attend the annual dinner of the Association of Golf Writers tonight but informed organisers during the day he would not now be coming.
Lyle said he had tried to speak to Montgomerie but the mobile number he had was “wiped out”.
His attempts will continue. Lyle added: “He’s the one I’ve hurt and he’s obviously pretty cheesed off right now.
“That’s not my intentions to do that at all. I’m in full support of him being Ryder Cup captain.”
Asked if he thought Montgomerie, unanimously chosen by the players’ committee in January in preference to Lyle, should now resign, he replied: “No. I don’t think he should jeopardise his Ryder Cup position right now.
“It’s just something that will be history in a few more days’ time – and the game of golf will grow stronger.”
Montgomerie, though, has 15 more months before the Americans defend the trophy at Celtic Manor in Wales and what Lyle may have ensured is that the incident will be discussed even more between now and then.
Former captain Bernard Gallacher – another Scot – had no doubt which side to take.
In a series of radio, television and newspaper interviews, he commented: “Sandy, unfortunately, is bitter at not being given the captaincy and what he has now done is below the belt for me.
“Monty’s explanation for what happened in the Indonesian Open was accepted by a forthright committee and, at that point, everyone should have put the matter behind them.
“I am sorry to say it, but Sandy is out of order. It is very poor what he has done, especially in the week of the Open Championship, and someone really needs to give Sandy some advice.”
Latest
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News
‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.
-
News
Westwood, McDowell back petition to allow English golf courses to open
The duo have added their names to a petition that has passed 100 000 signatures.
-
News
Xander Schauffele pledges to ‘fake it until I make it’ after contracting Covid
Schauffele is one of 16 players in the Sentry Tournament of Champions who failed to win an official event last season.
-
News
After years with TaylorMade, Jon Rahm joins Callaway
Spaniard will have Callaway woods and irons in his bag at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
-
News
What to expect from the 2021 OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
There are more prestigious events on the European Tour, but there’s no denying that the Dubai Desert Classic just has something about it.