Sandy Lyle to make Masters history with most consecutive appearances by a non-US golfer

Sandy Lyle will make Masters history on Thursday when he overtakes Gary Player to claim the longest run of consecutive appearances at Augusta National by a non-US golfer.

Sandy Lyle stands on the second green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in November. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

The 63-year-old Scot, who became the first British player to claim a Green Jacket in 1988, will be teeing up in the event for the 37th time a row and the 40th in total.

He currently shares the record for most consecutive international appearances with South African Player, who won three times in his run of straight starts between 1974 and 2009. Arnold Palmer holds the overall record of 50 from 1955-2004.

“Well, there we go,” said Lyle, expressing his surprise when told he was about to earn a place in the record books. “It's good. It's very good. I've managed to stay healthy at the right times in April, so that was good.

Wearing bracs, Sandy Lyle plays his shot off the second tee during the first round of the Masters at Augusta NationalPicture: Rob Carr/Getty Images

“I haven't even been thinking about it, quite honestly. You know, the Open Championship, I managed to play 43 years in that. Where the time has gone, I am not sure myself.

“I have no age restrictions. It's up to myself if I feel that my health is good, and another three or four more years, and that will be definitely plenty enough for me.

“It's never been disappointing playing here. It never has. Even though the course has sort of kicked my butt in the last sort of four or five years, I've missed the cut by one shot a few times and it's a bit aggravating.

“But that's the part of the course, we know it's going to be tough the first two days, and I've got to try and save as much energy and as many shots as I can out there.”

Over the years, Lyle has gladly passed on advice to fellow Scots making their first appearance at Augusta National, the latest being Bob MacIntyre who is making his debut this week. But who did Lyle learn from?

“Well, I was never too nervous about asking Gary Player or Lee Trevino,” he revealed.”I used to meet them on quite a regular basis, or even Jack [Nicklaus].

“I think you need to hit all the shapes out here because those first opening holes you're in uphill lies, you're in downhill lies, you're in side slopes. Everything is there. You've got to control your emotions and your ball flight, whatever you can do.

“The course is so much longer than it was when I first started, as well, 400 yards plus longer than in the early '80s.

“You've just got to control your flight the best you can and position the shots on the green. Maybe not even on the green; sometimes it's better to play for off the side of the green to have an easy chip from there. So knowledge plays a big part.”

Lyle missed the cut in the last six years, but he is hoping some inspiration from US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau can help him be around for the weekend on his record-breaking appearance.

Asked about the best part of his game at the moment, he replied: “I've acquired a fairly new putter that Bryson DeChambeau uses, the SIC putter, and I've had it about four weeks, if that, and I like it a lot.

“I like the way I roll the ball and directional-wise, so I think that's becoming my favorite club right now in the bag.

“I'm still playing about with drivers right now, which you need to drive well around here and get the ball in position, and that seems to be making a turn for the better.

“But I'm always known for the 1-iron, long irons, but I think my other little tick-tocker I call it, like wedges and distance control, is probably the strongest point.”

Having worn them for the first time in last year’s rescheduled event in November, Lyle will be sporting his snazzy braces again this week as he flies the Saltire along with both MacIntyre and Martin Laird.

“It's different,” he said, smiling, of the look for a golf course. I didn't really just wear it for fashion. I wore it for a purpose. I'm fed up trying to keep my shirt in my trousers half the time because I have quite a long torso and every shirt I have it just seemed to come up over the top, so this way it stays in where it should stay in, so it's comfortable to wear.

“It all started way back with my work trousers I had suspenders on, and I thought, well, all the tools I have in my work trousers, normally pull my trousers down, but with the braces I was really good, so I thought I might do it on the golf course, so there we go, it worked.”

Helped by a rain-softened course, Dustin Johnson won in November with a record 20-under-par 268 total. Judging by comments, the winning number could be around 10-under on this occasion due to the greens being as firm and fast as many players can recall.

“Compared to last year, definitely, yes,” said Lyle in predicting a different test altogether this week. “You watched the shots coming into the 15th (in November), they were like darts. They were just stopping within three, four yards, and coming in with long irons, as well. So definitely the greens were a little slower.

“I've been out here in practice rounds where it's been even crispier than this, and I'll tell you what, it's almost impossible to even hit the first green with an 8-iron or 7-iron and keep it on the green because of the hard hitting areas and falloff areas and even putting.

“Trying to hit a shot even to No 2 was almost impossible with the pin on the left because it was so hard.

“Obviously when the tournament got going they got water on it, but I have seen it and played nine holes when it was harder than this even, and it's very tough. Very, very tough.”

A message from the Editor:

Get a year of unlimited access to all of The Scotsman's sport coverage without the need for a full subscription. Expert analysis, exclusive interviews, live blogs, and 70 per cent fewer ads on Scotsman.com - all for less than £1 a week. Subscribe to us today https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions/sports