Montgomerie shrugs off Lyle criticism

RYDER CUP captain Colin Montgomerie wants to put the Sandy Lyle controversy behind him and concentrate his attentions on this Open championship.

Lyle hit the headlines this week when he said the Jakartagate controversy should have counted against his fellow Scot being appointed Ryder Cup captain.

The former Open and US Masters champion tried to backtrack on Tuesday but only succeeded in digging himself into more trouble.

Montgomerie claimed the comments were sour grapes as Lyle was overlooked for the Ryder Cup captaincy at Celtic Manor next year.

He said: “I have had time to digest what Sandy said yesterday and I have decided not to say anything more about it. I don’t think his comments warrant anything.

“I know he’s disappointed at not being Ryder Cup captain. It’s obvious. That’s fine. But don’t take it out on me. George O’Grady (the European Tour chief executive) is making a statement today and that should finish the whole thing.”

There was a strong expectation that O’Grady would severely censure, fine and possibly even suspend Lyle for his outburst which infringed a Tour rule that a member should not publicly criticise another member.

Instead, the statement said that “the Tour fully understands Sandy Lyle’s disappointment at not being elected captain but deeply regrets his comments which are considered wholly inappropriate and ill-timed.”

Montgomerie and O’Grady now appear content to allow the matter to rest and it looks as if Lyle will have no option but to do likewise. Whatever chance Lyle had of becoming Ryder Cup captain looks to have disappeared forever.