Peter Alliss, who will be celebrated tomorrow in a memorial service in this hall, described it on-air at the time as “a lot of fuss about a little thing like that”. In the group ahead, Peter Jacobsen was confronted by a male streaker running onto the green, and the American golfer produced an excellent rugby tackle to help the Kent Constabulary detain the intruder. However, there was drama to follow on the 18th, and I am not talking about fluffed chips. By the 17th he was aware he had a one-shot lead. Not to disappoint, I was only twelve years old when Sandy won The Open, and it is no exaggeration to say he was a boyhood hero of mine – watching every minute of the BBC coverage at home – and I even entered a local art competition with a portrait of Sandy lifting the Claret Jug aloft that was then displayed in my hometown’s library!Īt Royal St George’s, in testing conditions, Sandy secured victory in the back nine, including a notable birdie on the 14th when he hit a two iron to the edge of the green and holed a 45-foot putt for an unlikely birdie. Sandy has commented that he is constantly surprised that people like to congratulate him and tell him who they were with and what they were doing when he won. But – Sandy was part of the victorious Europe side at the Belfry in 1985 (to a US side captained by Lee Trevino), and again in 1987 at Muirfield Village Ohio – the first time the US side had ever lost on home soil – to a US side captained by Jack Nicklaus!īut it is for his major victories in 1985 when he won The Open Championship at Royal St George’s, and in 1988 when he won the Masters, that he will be best remembered. Sandy won one and a half points in his rookie Ryder Cup in 1979 (although it should be acknowledged he lost to Lee Trevino in the singles!). He has amassed 30 professional victories in his career – including two majors and played in five Ryder Cups from 1979 to 1987. He was the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 1978 and the European Tour Order of Merit Winner in 1979, 1980, and 1985. Sandy won the 1975 English Amateur Stroke Play Championship at 17 and was a member of the 1977 Walker Cup before turning professional and representing Scotland throughout his career, including three World Cups and seven Dunhill Cups. Sandy Lyle was born in February 1958 in Shrewsbury to Scottish parents Alex and Agnes Lyle, and he spent his early years at Hawkstone Park Golf Club where his father was the head professional. I will try and keep this as short and quick as possible for two reasons: first, Sandy has always been known as a quick player and second, whenever you are ahead of Jack Nicklaus on the starter sheet, you should not hold up play. Vice-Chancellor, it is my privilege to present for the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Alexander Walter Barr Lyle. Laureation by Robert Fleming, Director of Development
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