26 Sep 2008

Lyle says walkout shouldn't stop him captaining Ryder Cup

7:00 pm on 26 September 2008

Sandy Lyle insists his walk-out from this year's British Open shouldn't stop him from being Europe's captain against the United States when golf's Ryder Cup next takes place in 2010.

He's been backed for the job by fellow Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie but some are skeptical about whether the 1985 British Open and 1988 US Masters champion is the right man for the role.

Lyle was widely criticised for quitting 10 holes into his opening round of the Open at Royal Birkdale, north-west England, in July when his total already stood at 11-over par, a move some argue should bar him from the captaincy.

The 50-year-old subsequently admitted to have gone into meltdown but is brushing off suggestions he's too soft to lead Europe in their quest to regain the trophy they lost to the Americans.

He says someone like himself doesn't win a major without being hard inside and he would like to do the job.