Monty steering clear of Lyle outburst

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July 17, 2009

Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie wants to “distance himself” from the ongoing feud with Sandy Lyle.

Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie wants to “distance himself” from the ongoing feud with fellow Scot Sandy Lyle.
Lyle last night reignited his feud with Montgomerie, accusing the Ryder Cup captain of being a “drama queen hiding behind his manager” after Lyle brought up the “cheating” controversy surrounding his fellow Scot four years ago in Indonesia.
The 51-year-old apologised for jeopardising Montgomerie’s Open preparation, but did not withdraw his comment that what Montgomerie did in Jakarta – incorrectly replacing his ball after a weather delay – was “a form of what you would call cheating.”
Montgomerie found Lyle’s apology “very strange” and the pair have not spoken since, a situation which looks set to continue after Lyle’s latest comments.
“We ought to bring an end to it. I would never have tried to jeopardise his preparations for the Open, that was never my intention,” Lyle said.
“He should see that too, he has had enough experience with the press as well. He should be a man about it and we will get together and sort it out over a couple of pints.
“Colin is Colin. We do sometimes call him a bit of a drama queen. You have got to get around to it and stop hiding behind your manager and come out and have a talk.”
After completing an opening round of 71, Montgomerie had spoken to his manager, Guy Kinnings, behind the 18th green before declining to talk to waiting reporters.
But Kinnings later told Press Association Sport: “Colin has nothing to add and wants to distance himself from any issues Sandy has.
“He can’t, nor will he, get involved in this sort of thing. He just wants to get on with his golf. People say there is bickering going on but bickering requires two people.
“Colin can’t quite understand why he is being dragged into this.”

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