Lyle gives support to Monty
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Reuters
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 30, 2009 00:00
CROWLAND, England - Twice major champion Sandy Lyle, who lost out to Colin Montgomerie for Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy after being backed by him for the job, gave his full support to his fellow Briton yesterday.
Lyle is the only one of Europe's 'famous five' of the 1980s -- himself, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Ian Woosnam -- not to have been made cup captain.
Lyle, 51 next month, declared his sentiments in a statement to Reuters.
"Although I am disappointed personally not to have been given the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy," said Lyle. "I am genuinely delighted for Colin Montgomerie, who has my wholehearted congratulations and support." Lyle wished the best for Monty. "Colin will be an excellent captain and I wish him every success in leading the European team to victory in Wales next year," he said.
No longer on the main European Tour
The 45-year-old Montgomerie had backed Lyle for captain at Celtic Manor in Wales next year, and said he preferred to try to play his way into the 2010 team.
The British golfer was assigned for the positon on Wednesday.
The main reason Lyle lost out on the 2010 captaincy was because he no longer plays on the main European Tour and has lost touch with the candidates for next year's team. Lyle, the 1985 British Open and 1988 U.S. Masters champion, has little chance of getting the job in the future.
He may, however, be given an assistant's role by Montgomerie, who has so far only named Jose Maria Olazabal in his back-up team, for Celtic Manor.
Lyle was assistant to Woosnam for Europe's crushing 2006 win at the K Club in Ireland.
Europe, led by Faldo, lost 16 1/2-11 1/2 to Paul Azinger's U.S. team at Valhalla, Kentucky, last year, the first win for the Americans in the biennial event since 1999.
That defeat looks to have signaled an appetite for European captains who are still active on the main tour rather than former greats who plied their trade in the senior ranks.
Lyle, 51 next month, declared his sentiments in a statement to Reuters.
"Although I am disappointed personally not to have been given the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy," said Lyle. "I am genuinely delighted for Colin Montgomerie, who has my wholehearted congratulations and support." Lyle wished the best for Monty. "Colin will be an excellent captain and I wish him every success in leading the European team to victory in Wales next year," he said.
No longer on the main European Tour
The 45-year-old Montgomerie had backed Lyle for captain at Celtic Manor in Wales next year, and said he preferred to try to play his way into the 2010 team.
The British golfer was assigned for the positon on Wednesday.
The main reason Lyle lost out on the 2010 captaincy was because he no longer plays on the main European Tour and has lost touch with the candidates for next year's team. Lyle, the 1985 British Open and 1988 U.S. Masters champion, has little chance of getting the job in the future.
He may, however, be given an assistant's role by Montgomerie, who has so far only named Jose Maria Olazabal in his back-up team, for Celtic Manor.
Lyle was assistant to Woosnam for Europe's crushing 2006 win at the K Club in Ireland.
Europe, led by Faldo, lost 16 1/2-11 1/2 to Paul Azinger's U.S. team at Valhalla, Kentucky, last year, the first win for the Americans in the biennial event since 1999.
That defeat looks to have signaled an appetite for European captains who are still active on the main tour rather than former greats who plied their trade in the senior ranks.