It's Feast Or Famine For Lyle

Jul 20 2008 Scott Mcdermott

SANDY LYLE is hungry. For food and more importantly for success.

He walks purposefully around the Northumberland Hotel's grounds, desperate to get in for lunch before yet another round of golf with excited locals.

But despite his appetite he spares a moment for MailSport. It's The Open week after all.

A tournament that engraved Lyle's name in the history of golf. Who can forget his incredible win at Sandwich in 1985? Or his sublime bunker shot at Augusta's 18th that led to Masters glory in 88 and made him first Brit to wear the green jacket?

Yet any golf fan under 25 would find it hard to associate the Scot with anything other than failure.

For 12 years he has done virtually nothing and last Thursday quit The Open after slumping to 11 over in the first 10 holes.

However, just five months after his 50th birthday Sandy has a spring in his step again. A new-found determination to win things.

This week he'll be one of the youngest stars taking part in the Senior Open at Troon alongside the likes of Tom Watson, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer.

For the first time in more than a decade he's one of the bookies' favourites to win. Lyle is thriving on the expectation and as the waitress dishes out his lunch he reveals how ravenous he is to claim silverware again.

Lyle said: "It would be special to win the Senior Open. I'm hungry for ANY kind of win - even a nine-hole championship. As long as it would make me feel I could still do it. People expect me to win tournaments now I'm on the Senior Tour and I expect it of myself.

"I'm the youngest out there and I've just come off the regular tour.

"What drives me on is wanting to achieve things in the second chapter of my life where there's less pressure.

"There is no cut and it's a better way of playing yet still competitive.

"You always fancy your chances on a strong course like Troon. There are a lot of good players like Watson so I have my work cut out."

Lyle could have quit golf a long time ago a rich man. But he couldn't bear to bow out while struggling for form. After all this is a man who spent 167 weeks in the world's top 10 between 1986 and 89.

So after a few changes to his swing retirement is the last thing on his mind.

Sandy said: "By my standards I've played poorly the last 12 years or so.

"I wouldn't want to go out on a sour note and I've turned the corner in that sense. It's not a mystery to me why I was playing so badly and why my temperament wasn't right.

"I was hitting short and wide but I've sorted those problems. I'm enjoying the sport again and not far off carding serious scores.

"I didn't want to retire with folk only remembering the last 10 years when I didn't play well.

"I'm not consistent like Nick Faldo who can churn out 68s. When I'm good I'm great but when bad I'm awful.

"I thought I'd have had more top-10 finishes this year but I'm happier now and I'll be playing my way into this Senior Open without taking too many risks."

Lyle admits it feels "strange" to play on the Seniors Tour despite its growing popularity.

Only two of the major stars from his era aren't part of it - Ryder Cup captain Faldo and Seve Ballesteros (below left).

Sandy said: "It's a shame Seve didn't stick to it.

"We keep trying to think of ways to get him back! I can understand Nick's situation because he can make a lot of money talking about the game on American TV." So could Lyle. If only he could get rid of those hunger pangs to reclaim former glories. And he's also desperate to captain Europe in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

He has thrown his hat in the ring for the past two duels with America but lost out to Ian Woosnam - instead working as his No.2 at the K Club - then Nick Faldo.

Lyle said: "My name's in the hat for 2010. I feel more prepared now than I did four or five years ago.

"I've done more TV work which has helped my confidence because the horrors of constantly talking live can turn you into a blundering idiot and that was a terrifying thought.

"But if it doesn't happen I won't lose any sleep over it."

SANDY LYLE is the golf ambassador for MacDonald Hotels (www.macdonaldhotels.com)