Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Sandy Lyle

Alexander Walter Barr "Sandy" Lyle was from Scotland and, along with Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, he helped lifted British golf in the 1980s out of a couple decades of mediocrity.

Lyle was a 29-time winner around the world, including claiming six titles on the PGA Tour and 18 on the European Tour.

Known for his cool temperament, Lyle was a big hitter who only threatened in four major championships, but he won two.

In 1985, Lyle defeated Payne Stewart by one shot at Royal St. George's Golf Club in Sandwich, England. A third-round 73 placed him three shots behind David Graham and Bernhard Langer. An even-par 70 in the final round was enough for him to hold off Stewart, who shot a 68. Lyle was the first British winner of the Open championship since Tony Jacklin in 1969.

In 1988, won a duel with Mark Calcavecchia to claim the Masters. Tied for the lead on the 18th tee, Lyle drove into a fairway bunker. He hit a 7-iron though to 6-feet and he made the birdie put.

Lyle's Masters victory was the first ever by a British golfer and started a string of four straight. Nick Faldo won the next two, followed by Ian Woosnam's only major title.

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