Damage limitation as Lyle backtracks on Monty ‘cheat’ claim

SANDY LYLE yesterday issued an apology to Colin Montgomerie and said he hoped the pair were still friends – but there appears to be little hope of that.

The damage had already been done by the time the former Open and Masters champion told a packed press conference ahead of the Open at Turnberry he regretted bringing up the “cheat” controversy Europe’s Ryder Cup captain was involved in four years ago.

“I feel especially bad if I have jeopardised his preparation for the Open Championship,” said Lyle.