Sandy Lyle Prepared for Final Masters Holes With ‘a Lot of Tequila’

The 1988 winner memorably bowed out of his 42nd tournament.

Golfer Sandy Lyle has been around the block in his lengthy career. 

From Open and Masters titles in 1985 and 1988 to five Ryder Cup appearances to a 2012 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Lyle sealed his place among Scotland's golfing greats.

A champion's sendoff at his final Masters in 2023 seemed appropriate. But Mother Nature had other ideas, forcing the 65-year-old back to the course first thing Saturday morning after Friday's suspension of play for two final putts.

After finishing off his second round, Lyle offered an instantly memorable quote when asked how he prepared to put the finishing touches on his rudely interrupted farewell.

"A lot of tequila," Lyle said. "And a bit of whiskey tasting at about 1 o'clock this morning."

Lyle, a six-time winner on the PGA Tour and one of the most successful golfers in European Tour history, shot 20-over par for a last-place finish and was cut. But no one can say he didn't have fun in the process.