Tour critical of Lyle comments

Sandy Lyle’s “cheat” comments about fellow Scot Colin Montgomerie were “wholly inappropriate and ill-timed”, according to European Tour chief executive George O’Grady.

Yesterday the two-time major winner apologised for jeopardising the Ryder Cup captain’s preparations for this week’s Open Championship at Turnberry.

However, he did not withdraw his comment that what Montgomerie did in Jakarta four years ago – incorrectly replacing his ball after a weather delay – was “a form of what you would call cheating”.

Lyle was a rival for the Ryder Cup captaincy and his comments about Montgomerie came after he was asked whether he felt his decision to walk out of last year’s Open at Birkdale in bad weather citing an injury had cost him the job.

Montgomerie gave his prize money to charity after the incident of his “wrong drop” in Indonesia came to light and the European Tour players’ committee expressed their dissatisfaction with his actions at the time.

The eight-time European number one had hoped back then a line would be drawn under what became known as “Jakartagate” and, from the European Tour’s point of view, the matter was closed.

“The European Tour wishes to state that the tournament committee debated the Jakarta situation extensively and made a full statement at that time,” said O’Grady in a statement.

“The same tournament committee, at their meeting at the Dubai Desert Classic earlier this year, elected Colin Montgomerie as the 2010 Ryder Cup captain and persuaded him to take the job.

“The decision was greeted in Dubai with great acclaim by the tour members, who felt the committee had chosen absolutely the right man for the job in Wales.

“The tour fully understands Sandy Lyle’s disappointment at not being elected captain but deeply regrets his comments which are considered which are considered wholly inappropriate and ill-timed.”