Alexander (Sandy) Lyle


1958 -

Sandy Lyle
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Sandy Lyle

Golfer. Although born in Shrewsbury (England), Lyle's parents were Scottish and he was able to represent Scotland in international competitions. Lyle had an outstanding amateur career. He was twice a member of the Walker Cup team and won the English Amateur Stroke Play Championship in both 1975 and 1977. He became a professional in 1977. Lyle achieved his first PGA Tour win in 1986 and quickly became a dominant force in the game, becoming Open Champion (1985) and US Masters champion (1988), the first non-American to win the latter event. The latter victory included what is considered to be the finest long bunker shot ever played to end a major tournament. He has been a member of the Ryder Cup team on no less than five occasions.

While well known for his calmness under pressure, Lyle has been unlucky with his form which has swung from exceptional to mediocre. However, he has won 27 world tour titles and has earned millions of pounds during his career, easily one of the world's most successful golfers. He was awarded an MBE in 1987. His last major title was the Volvo Masters (1992) and since then he has quietly retired. He now lives in West Linton in the Scottish Borders and was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.


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