Ball-spotter incurs Lyle wrath

Sandy Lyle took a “ball-spotter” to task tonight after his hopes of a first win for 11 years suffered a late blow at Gleneagles.

Lying joint fourth in the Diageo Championship with one hole of his second round to play the 45-year-old former Masters and Open champion finished with a double bogey seven after his drive was lost.

“The ball-spotter looked very dumb-witted,” commented Lyle. “He looked like...duh...where did that go? It went right over his head – how he couldn’t see the ball I don’t know.

“I know it wasn’t a good lie, but even if I can just get it out sideways I could have a chance at saving a shot or two and that could be the difference between winning and losing.

“The rough is too heavy in places. I don’t mind certain areas, but you are looking for balls all the time.”

He will resume tomorrow four behind Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.