Lyle says sorry for walkout

Jul 20 2008 By Brian Mcsweeney

SORRY Sandy Lyle has been forced to apologise to R&A chiefs following his decision to quit his first round at the Open after only 10 holes.

The popular Scot has been hit with a barrage of criticism for controversially throwing in the towel on day one at Birkdale after a nightmare start left him 11 over par.

But former Open champ Lyle has taken stock of his decision over the weekend and has written a grovelling letter to R&A chief executive Peter Dawson. In it, Lyle expressed regret over his decision to walk off.

Dawson has welcomed the apology from the 1985 Open winner. He wants to draw a line under Lylegate and hopes Sandy can bounce back from the incident.

The R&A chief, who was also critical of Lyle's walkout, said: "I had a letter from Sandy andwe spoke on the phone. He does have a problem with his fingers.

"He regrets walking off and I regret one or two remarks. But it is a closed issue now."

Lyle reached the turn in 45 shots on Thursday and, toiling under howling wind and driving rain, called it quits on the 10th green.

The 50-year-old, who is preparing for his first Seniors Open at Troon this week, seems to have had a change of heart about his decision which was the major talking point on the opening day.

After his curtailed round Lyle said: "It's not nice being just an hour and a half in to The Open and basically you've chucked it. I don't make a habit of that.

"I would have done myself more harm than good staying out. It was best to get back in and sort things out."

After his decision to walk off, Dawson blasted Lyle and said: "We do not approve.

"Professional golfers should complete their rounds if they can.

"Where would we be if the scorers decided to take the afternoon off?"

But after Lyle's letter to the R&A it now seems the pair have called a truce.