Veteran Lyle chasing place in Open history

Sandy Lyle will attempt to make history by becoming one of 16 golfers to earn Open Championship berths out of the 278 teeing it up in today’s final qualifying at four venues. If Lyle, 64, comes through the 36-hole shootout, he will break Gary Player’s record of 45 years for the longest gap between first and last appearances in the British major.

Lyle made his debut in the Open when he was 16 in 1974, 48 years ago.

Lyle played the most recent of his 43 Opens at Carnoustie in 2018, the year his exemption as the 1985 champion ran out. Everybody, including Lyle, believed that would be it for the Scot as far as the Claret Jug was concerned, but he has been lured back by the Open celebrating a special anniversary and the Lancashire venue for qualifying.

“It’s the 150th Open, and it would be wonderful to play in that landmark event,” Lyle said. “When I qualified as a wide-eyed teenager in ’74, I did so at St Annes Old Links and there I’ll be again, trying my damnedest, almost a halfcentury on.

“I’m not fully fit, I’ve done a hamstring, but I’m about 75 per cent and will have a go. What have I got to lose?

“This will be my last shot at the Open.”

Lyle’s work is cut out as other, younger Ryder Cup players, namely Andy Sullivan and Oliver Wilson, are gunning for a place at the “Home of Golf”, as are DP World Tour winners such as Aaron Rai and Marcus Armitage. And, to highlight golf ’s unique ability to pit the generations against each other, 15-year-old Sean Keeling is also in the St Annes field.

The Dublin schoolboy is a member of the Made in Holywood Academy, with which Rory Mcilroy’s coach Michael Bannon is involved.

Keeling already has a big reputation, which only grew when he shot a seven-under round of 65 to win his regional qualifier.