Sandy Lyle Says Colin Montgomerie Cheated in 2005

Scotland's Sandy Lyle has something countryman Colin Montgomerie doesn't -- a major victory. But Monty, who had a firm grip on the Best Player to Never Win a Major crown until age and Sergio Garcia caught up with him, beat out Lyle for the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy. Small consolation, perhaps, but also a nod to the fact that he was Europe's best player the last two decades.

Throughout his career, Montgomerie has been known as much for his robot-like consistency as he was for his raging case of between-shots rabbit ears. Notorious for glaring into galleries, now he's having to deal with accusations from his colleagues. Interestingly, it's Lyle doing the finger-pointing.

Via ESPN.com's Jason Sobel, Lyle, the 1988 Masters winner, accused Monty of cheating in 2005. For those of you unfamiliar with the genteel nature of the sport, or the gentlemen who uphold the rules, that's tantamount to accusing, say, Sammy Sosa or Mark McGwire of taking steroids, making it into a dog and pony show and calling it a congressional hearing, then sullying their reputation and their Hall of Fame chances. But worse.

To the details:

When asked whether walking off the course after just 10 holes at Royal Birkdale during the opening round of last year's Open due to the cold conditions may have cost him the job, Lyle invoked a 2005 incident in which many players accused Monty of bending the rules after a weather delay at the Indonesia Open.

"That is far worse than someone pulling out because of sore knuckles," Lyle said on Monday at Turnberry, site of this week's Open. "You have Monty dropping the ball badly -- that's what you would call a form of cheating. If anything was going to be held against Monty, you would think, 'Yeah, well that's a case where he was breaking the rules.' And there have been other times where he has been called in to see videos."

Specifically, in a tournament in Jakarta, Monty allegedly improved his lie in a bunker after a suspension of play. Rules officials said he had done nothing wrong, and that was that (Monty even donated his winnings to charity). Until Open Championship week, anyway.

Prior to Lyle's comments, Montgomerie was asked about the possibility of naming Lyle as vice captain for the '10 Ryder Cup.

"Good question ... I met with Sandy yesterday, we had a chat. And I haven't decided as to who or what, depending on who makes the team and who doesn't make the team, and we'll select that vice captain sometime during the qualification system. But I haven't made up my mind."

And, who knows, maybe that hasn't changed. Monty is familiar with controversy and has a keen knack for getting past perceived slights. Well, unless it's Nick Faldo.

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Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa prepares to putt on the green of the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

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Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa plays out of the rough on the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

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Kenny Perry of the United States gestures during a press conference during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Rebecca Naden, PA) ** UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE **

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan takes a shot during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan prepares a shot during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Padraig Harrington of Ireland, right, signs autographs for fans during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Padraig Harrington of Ireland putts on the 15th green, as Ailsa Craig Island is seen in the background, during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ryo Ishikawa of Japan takes a shot from the 16th tee during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

7-14-2009 @ 12:02PM

bigflyer said...

If one judges a man's character by what his peers think of him, the Monty is a rabbit-eared wuss.
The attitude of this woe-begone little rich boy, son of a golf pro at Loch Lohmand, is a prissy, ascerbic, obnoxious jerk.
He had a chance to win the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot on #18 Sunday and spit the bit then.
He laways seems to blame the gallery for his own faults. I was in the stands at Winged Foot, site of Phil's melt down and believe me Montgomery's was similar. He misclubbed, came up short, and three putted 18. Go away Monty!

7-14-2009 @ 12:12PM

cjgdnight said...

You misrepresent some of the facts.... he three putted because he was trying to win, not finish second and was aggressive down the hill... and let's face it, Phil was behind him with the lead and no Professional golfer would ever do what Phil did.

7-14-2009 @ 12:59PM

ok cjgdnight. I'm wrong and he made a mistake at Winged Foot, but what about his whining, imperious attitude, blaming the gallery for his not winning tournaments?
Faldo was an egotistical failure as a Ryder Cup Captain, but Monty is no leader of men. I wouldn't follow him to the free buffet.

7-14-2009 @ 2:32PM

michaelbinca said...

I played in a weekend dogfight group for several years. Among the group were cheaters who probably won a few hundred dollars a year via not being able to count. So, how does one BEAT them? Answer: by cheating them.

Why is cheating in golf so common? Because cheaters can.

7-14-2009 @ 4:20PM

gd said...

If you cheat at golf you are not cheating those you play, per se. You are cheating golf and you are cheating yourself and, in my opinion you have missed the entire point of sport in general and golf in particular. And those who mock this statement, what wonderful examples you are for children.

7-14-2009 @ 8:38PM

James said...

Your comment about players cheating and the way to 'Beat them' is to cheat yourself shows you have no respect for the game of golf much less any respect for yourself.
You are a discrace to the game of golf.

7-14-2009 @ 8:55PM

Jim said...

I play golf all the time (less know because of bad back and shoulder) and I've never cheated. I have forgotten a shot or 2 and had someone remind me. Honest mistake and I've always corrected it. Heck, I remember figuring up the bets after 1 round and paid up. Then rechecked the card that night and found I slighted someond about $4.00 - so I paid them the next round. I'd guess that of the "true golfers", the ones that don't roll their ball, take mulligans, etc. that at least 99% are honest score keepers. After all, you're only cheating yourself.

7-15-2009 @ 4:16AM

wijgt said...

It is one of the attributes of golf I like the best...it's the only game you can call a penalty on yourself. The sense of integrity that comes from keeping your own score and having to scribble down that emasculating 7 when the competition is barking at your heels, separates those with character from them that sadly, will never understand what I'm saying.

7-15-2009 @ 11:01AM

You ask them about it when they do it... gentlemanly... if they lie about it, it will bother them that much more.

You can tell a lot about a person on a golf course... if they cheat... don't hire them... if they work for you... well you get the point.

7-14-2009 @ 2:40PM

hookmrl said...

I hope golf never turns out like the trash in football and baseball and basketball

7-14-2009 @ 2:48PM

chilco said...

RULE BRITTANIA.

7-14-2009 @ 2:55PM

gandy1 said...

WHY ater 4 years did Lyle bring this up? Would it have anything to do with him not appointed Captain?? Sounds like Lyle is crying over losing his candy bar!!!!

7-14-2009 @ 3:08PM

mfxd99harley said...

Golfer Cheating??
As my wife commented to me......The male golfer's wives are at home SCREWING other men while the hubby is off playing that stupid game!!!!

7-14-2009 @ 4:44PM

Rick said...

If my wife is screwing other men, I would have to say at least somebodies getting that!!!

7-15-2009 @ 2:25AM

Sadadu said...

What an ugly comment. Obviously from morally low people who engage in behaviors just like what you accused someone else of. Please don't use this forum again for your sullying someone else.

7-14-2009 @ 3:10PM

tacom1843 said...

phil had the lead but colin had the advantage at winged foot - he was in the fairway looking at the green with only one average 7 iron from winning. the announcers said that if you are short and right you are done. how does a experienced golfer without a major usa championship standing in the middle of the fairway hit to the worst position possible?

7-14-2009 @ 3:11PM

jshivers2002 said...

It all comes out in the wash!

7-14-2009 @ 4:12PM

hansibrian said...

"The rules officials said he had done nothing wrong..."

Says it all.

7-14-2009 @ 6:12PM

Paskulo said...

(1) Golf is not a sport.
(2) Golfers are not athletes.
(3) Eldrick Woods is not black.

7-14-2009 @ 6:39PM

rlbrooks726 said...

Paskulo always says golfers aren't athletes. If you think an athlete has good eye hand coordination, strength and stamina...then golfers are athletes. If you think NBA players are athletes...have you ever seen Charles Barkley try to hit a golf ball? I wonder if Paskulo has ever played golf...I mean real golf...not riding around in a cart, drinking beer and hacking up the course.

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