Player notes: Sandy Lyle still going at Masters

NO TIMETABLE FOR LYLE: On the 30th anniversary of his 1988 triumph at Augusta National, Sandy Lyle admits his time competing at the Masters is winding down.

“This place isn’t getting any shorter,” said Lyle, of Scotland. “But I tell you what — every time I come I get chills driving down Magnolia Lane. It’s always quite an experience for an oversees overseas player like me.”

Lyle admits his playing “days are numbered" at the tournament but says he does not have a set timetable in mind.

“Fortunately, I’m fairly competitive at the moment,” Lyle said. “I’m taking things year by year, and when I feel it’s time to stop then I’ll stop. But that’s the thing about golf — all of the sudden you might find something in your swing and think, ‘Hey, I might have something here.’”

Lyle was part of a European invasion of champions at Augusta, as foreign players won nine out of 15 times from 1980 to 1994. After consecutive European champions winners in 2016 and 2017 (Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia), Lyle hopes the streak continues this year.

“It’s encouraging,” Lyle said. “The person I think you need to look out for is Justin Rose. He’s played very well here recently and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have another great Masters.”

As for his personal goals, Lyle hopes to play the weekend.

“That’s my goal,” he said. “If I make the cut I might buy myself a new car.”

PALMER TRIBUTES: Not long after Arnold Palmer died in 2016, three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo reached out to Palmer’s the Arnie’s Army Foundation.

“As a thank you to what Arnold meant to professional golf, I wanted to show my appreciation,” Faldo said.

Since then, Faldo has donned Palmer’s apparel, whether he’s competing professionally on the Champions Tour or playing practice rounds at Augusta National.

“Whenever I’m playing golf, I wear my Arnold shirts,” Faldo said. “I might have a few other (advertising) logos on it when I play competitively, but since his passing I’ve done my best to always have on an Arnold shirt.”

Although Faldo admits that Palmer’s impact “was felt everywhere,” he says wearing Palmer’s name is even more meaningful in Augusta.

“He did a lot for the Masters — no doubt about that,” Faldo said. “He was loved by everyone here.”

In addition to Faldo, Adam Scott has Palmer’s umbrella logo on his bag for the 2018 Masters.

“Last year (at the Champions Dinner) was an emotional night listening to all the stories about him,” Scott said of Palmer. “I’m still relatively new to the room, but not having him there left a big hole that will never be filled. I think it’s very important to keep honoring him — especially at Augusta.”

WATSON TO JOIN NICKLAUS, PLAYER: Tom Watson confirmed Monday that he’ll play the annual Par-3 Contest in the same group as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

The three were scheduled to play together last year before the event was canceled due to rain.

“We’re teeing off at 3 p.m.,” said Watson, who won the Masters in 1977 and 1981. “It’s always a great time getting to play with Jack and Gary.”

When asked if the three will be a permanent Par 3-Contest grouping, Watson said, “I’m not sure about that. I don't know.”