Sandy Lyle Says Colin Montgomerie Cheated in 2005

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST

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)

Sandy Lyle Says Colin Montgomerie Cheated in 2005 originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nationwide Star Makes Consecutive Hole-In-Ones on Same Hole

Shane Bacon — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Nationwide Tour

In 1999, Golf Digest reported that the odds for any Joe Hacker to make a hole-in-one was around 1 in 12,750. In that same article, the magazine said that the odds of an amateur making two hole-in-ones in the same round were 1 in 9,222,500. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Brendon Todd.

Todd made consecutive hole-in-ones on the same hole in his first and second rounds of the Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic, becoming the first person in the 20-year history of the Nationwide to ace the same hole twice in one tournament.

"It's still hard to believe," Todd said after posting a 1-under 71. "It's a bit surreal, even now."

On Thursday, Todd hit a 7-iron on the par-3 17th hole from 157-yards, knocking it in for the ace and a solid round of 68. On Friday, the same man stepped on the same tee box, choosing an 8-iron from 147-yards and knocking it in for the very, very rare double-uno.

"I had just come off a bogey and so I wasn't in a great mood when I stepped on the tee. I wasn't even thinking about making it," he said. "It was a perfect yardage and I flagged it. It looked pretty good in the air and then landed about 4 feet short and left of the hole and rolled in the back of the cup. I guess I played the break perfectly."

Graham Marsh did this in the 2004 Senior British Open, along with five PGA Tour players dating back to 1955 who recorded two hole-in-ones in the same event. Yusaku Miyazato in 2006 and Bill Whedon in 1955 actually made their aces in the same round.

Todd currently sits in a tie for 5th place after two rounds.

Nationwide Star Makes Consecutive Hole-In-Ones on Same Hole originally appeared on Golf FanHouse on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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