Sandy Lyle Grouped With LIV Golfers In Final Masters Appearance
The 1988 Masters winner will play alongside Jason Kokrak and Talor Gooch in the first two rounds
Legendary Scot Sandy Lyle recently announced his retirement and explained that the 2023 Masters will be his final senior tournament.
However, the 1988 winner’s farewell appearance at Augusta National is notable for another reason - who he has been grouped with. The 65-year-old will tee it up alongside LIV Golf players Jason Kokrak and Talor Gooch in the opening two rounds.
Lyle made his 100th Major appearance at last year’s tournament and revealed back then that this year would likely mark his last. He said: "I think probably next year might be the end of the Lyle attack on the golf course." Of course, at that time, the emergence of LIV Golf still hadn't been confirmed. That means he couldn’t have known that he would have a connection in the controversial appearance of two of its players this year.
There had been fears the presence of LIV players could lead to tension at the tournament. However, so far, it has passed largely without incident, with the only thing of note being Phil Mickelson’s uncustomary low profile at the Champions Dinner.
Before that, there were even signs of harmony breaking out between the players and those on rival circuits after PGA Tour stalwart Rory McIlroy played a practice round with LIV player Brooks Koepka.
However, earlier in the week, it was revealed that LIV Golf players had been omitted from Thursday’s featured groups coverage, suggesting that, away from player relationships, there is still some discomfort with their presence. That omission includes Kokrak, who appears courtesy of his place in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of 2022, and Gooch, who qualifies thanks to his appearance in last year's Tour Championship on the PGA Tour.
After making his century of Major appearances at the 2022 tournament, Lyle said the achievement was "something to tell the grandchildren”. His 101st will likely be too, albeit for very different reasons.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Ludvig Aberg Withdraws From Wells Fargo Championship Due To Knee Issue
The Swede has withdrawn from the Quail Hollow event to allow additional rest before the PGA Championship
By Mike Hall Published
-
The Amateur Playing In His Seventh Major And Third Masters This Week
Career amateur Stewart Hagestad has made it back to Augusta National after another US Mid-Am victory
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Brooks Koepka Warms Up For PGA Championship Defence By Sealing LIV Golf Singapore Victory
The American shot a final-round 68 at Sentosa Golf Club to win his fourth individual LIV Golf title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy's Zurich Classic Appearance Helps Event To Highest Final-Round Viewing Figures For Three Years
The four-time Major winner claimed his 25th PGA Tour win alongside Shane Lowry at the event, and the TV-watching public responded by tuning in
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Phil Mickelson Helped Brendan Steele Claim His First Win In Six Years At LIV Golf Adelaide
The 41-year-old American says he continues to improve even at his age thanks to his HyFlyers captain, Phil Mickelson
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Brandel Chamblee Argues Tiger Woods Should Stand Alone As The Most Successful PGA Tour Player Ever After Rory McIlroy Lands 25th Title
Tiger Woods and Sam Snead are officially tied on 82 PGA Tour wins apiece - but the Golf Channel analyst suggested the 15-time Major winner should stand alone at the top...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Watch: Rory McIlroy Blasts Out 'Don’t Stop Believin’' On Stage After Zurich Classic Victory
Winning team Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry took to the stage for a singalong after their Zurich Classic victory on Sunday night
By Michael Weston Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Round Three
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry hold a share of the lead at the halfway stage, with a host of other big names in contention too
By Ben Fleming Published
-
'An Olympic Medal Would Be Like A Dream' - Lowry And McIlroy Target Success In Paris
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are ready to get back into the Olympic spirit later this year as they look to win a medal at the Paris 2024 golf tournament
By Paul Higham Published
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy Board
The four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
By Mike Hall Published