Sandy Lyle hits major milestone at The Masters but 'no-one has ever mentioned'

Sandy Lyle was completely unaware that he created history as the first Scottish golfer to play in 100 majors, having achieved the feat in this week’s 46th Masters.

It came in his 41st appearance at Augusta National and the 1988 winner said after missing the cut for the eighth year in a row that next year will be his last.

“I was not aware, no,” said Lyle when he was asked about his major milestone by The Scotsman after carding a second-round 76 for a 14-over total at the Georgia venue.

“Is it?” he added when it was pointed out that it was quite a feat, with Catriona Matthew two appearances away from doing likewise in the women’s game.

Gallery: The most talented golfers of all time (Espresso)

“No-one has ever mentioned it to me. Does that make me feel better? A little bit,” said the two-time major winner.

Lyle was crowned as Open champion at Royal St George’s in 1985 before becoming the first British player to win a Green Jacket three years later.

Surprisingly, he only recorded two other top 10s in majors and missed the cut 47 times, as well as withdrawing twice.

“I know some of the European guys have played more than 500 events on tour, but I didn’t even know there was a data of how many majors you’ve played,” said the 64-year-old.

“But I suppose that is pretty sporty and something I can tell my grandkids in years to come.”