R&A chief not impressed as Lyle walks off

Published on Thursday 17 July 2008 22:49

ROYAL & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson has criticised former Open champion Sandy Lyle for pulling out of the championship mid-round.

The 1985 winner admitted he "chucked it" after quitting ten holes into his opening round at 11 over par having gone into "meltdown". He was not the only one, as 2002 US PGA champion Rich Beem walked off after a 12-over-par front nine of 46.

There were reports the American had complained of a finger injury but no official reason was given to organisers.

Dawson was unhappy with players failing to see their rounds through. "It is disappointing," he said. "I have to say professional golfers should complete a round. That is what they are paid to do.

"You wonder what they would think if the recorders went home at lunchtime saying they were having a bad day."

The 50-year-old Lyle, who has ambitions to be the next Ryder Cup captain in 2010, closed his outward half with two double bogeys and a triple in wet and windy conditions.

Dawson was also forced to defend the severity of the course set-up, after criticism from several players. He responded that the wind and the rain were worse than had been predicted and added: "We will have to get better stuff from the Met Office than we have at the moment."

That said, Dawson did not believe that the course was too tough. "What gets written on the Claret Jug is how many strokes, not how many under par."