Sandy Lyle

About

Sandy was one of Britain’s top golfers during the 1980s. In 1988, he pulled-off one of the game’s greatest ever moments when he hit a stunning bunker shot on the final hole, which saw him become the first Brit to win the Masters, sparking a period of British dominance at Augusta.

Sandy Lyle (Alexander Walter Barr “Sandy” Lyle, MBE) spent 167 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from their debut in 1986 to 1989.

In 1977 he turned professional and made the decision to represent Scotland. He won the 1977 Qualifying School tournament for the European Tour. His first professional win came in the 1978 Nigerian Open, and he also won the Sir Henry Cotton Award as European Rookie of the Year that season. Lyle attained the first of an eventual 18 European Tour titles in 1979.

Lyle showed his quality by winning The Open Championship at Royal St George’s Golf Club in 1985. He was the first British winner since Tony Jacklin in 1969, and continued the rise of European golfers in the world scene.

Lyle topped the European Tour’s order of merit in 1979, 1980 and 1985. He finished in the top ten nine times between 1979 and 1992. He was also a member of the PGA Tour for several years and finished seventh on the US money list in 1988, despite a limited playing schedule.

He also won the 1987 Tournament Players Championship, one of the most prestigious American titles.

On turning 50 in 2008, Lyle played on the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour.

Lyle won his first tournament in 19 years when he captured his first European Seniors Tour title at the 2011 ISPS Handa Senior World Championship, held in China.

Lyle was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in December 2011 and will be inducted in May 2012.

One of the most respected figures in golfing history, Sandy Lyle is in demand as an after dinner speaker for his golf-related anecdotes and memories.