Walk Off

by Mulligan Stu on Jul 17, 2008 4:18 PM EDT

Sandy Lyle is apparently a creature of habit. He quit midway through the second round the last time the Open Championship was played at Royal Birkdale. This time, he only made it halfway through the first round before walking off the course.

“I’d lost all my momentum, my fingers were numb and I couldn’t feel the club. I walked in for the sake of my playing partners as much as anything.”

This may be the final nail in the coffin of Lyle's chances to captain a European Ryder Cup team. No, the R&A doesn't run the Ryder Cup or select European captains. But having the R&A mad at you - as they are at Lyle today - is something that might sink Lyle's chances nevertheless.

Rich Beem, too, walked off midway through today's round. Most upset about it? Third alternate Mark Brown, who would have loved the chance to play in miserable conditions:

“I’m not sure whether they were injured or what, but if they weren’t it’s very disappointing from my perspective,” he said. “I would have been out there in a flash.”

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tough day

I’m pretty sure that Rich Beem didn’t start the day hoping to just break 90 in the cold, wind, and rain. Mark Brown might have done better – but he might have left after 9 too if he was playing that bad. With rounds taking 6 hours, Beem had to be pretty miserable.

Dollars to doughnuts – someone in the “media” writes a column comparing Beem to Michelle Wie walking off to keep from breaking the LPGA scoring limit rule.

Wow – Sandy Lyle grew up playing this kind of golf – hard to believe he didn’t have gloves or something to keep his hands warm. At age 50, he’s just not as spry as he used to be.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 17, 2008 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

James Lawson

Head of the R&A, James Lawson, was on TNT this morning and he was asked about Sandy Lyle walking off the course. He gave a little bit of leeway for his age and wearing glasses in that weather – but he finished with “he’s a professional golfer, and professional golfers, unless they are injured, should finish their round.”

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 18, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions