Sandy Lyle accepts his chance has gone

Published on Thursday 29 January 2009 22:15

LIKE Peter Alliss and Peter Oosterhuis before him, Sandy Lyle is resigned to becoming part of the band of unfortunates on the European Tour whose formidable achievements as golfers were not rewarded with the captaincy of the Ryder Cup team.

Lyle was too much of a gentleman to take the Tour to task for snubbing his candidacy in Wales, but released a dignified statement on their decision to instead appoint fellow Scot Colin Montgmerie. "Although I am disappointed personally not to have been given the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy, I am genuinely delighted for Colin Montgomerie, who has my wholehearted congratulations and support," said the past winner of the Masters and the Open. "Colin will be an excellent captain and I wish him every success."

Due to celebrate his 51st birthday next month, Lyle was grateful for all the support he received. However, the preference of the Tournament committee to select captains who are closer in age to the players means he's likely to miss out on the honour.

"I would have loved to have been captain myself, but that's about it for me now," he told Today's Golfer. "In a few years time I'll be pottering around on the Seniors Tour and probably wont be interested in doing it then. But you never know – I'll keep the door ajar just in case for Gleneagles in 2014. My chances of being captain now are pretty slim, though I'd love to play a supporting role to Monty if asked."