sport news The Open: Sandy Lyle claims the 'hot name' is McIlroy but Tiger Woods will draw ... trends now
Golfing great Sandy Lyle reveals his pick to win the 150th Open Championship 'has got to be Rory McIlroy' but the Scot also can't resist looking closer to home as he backs compatriot Robert MacIntyre.
Lyle only won The Open once but his 1985 win was significant for UK golf as it ended a 16-year drought for a British winner.
With fans desperate for a home winner, the 64-year-old became the first since Tony Jacklin in 1969 and he now backs the Brits to lift the Claret Jug again.
Golfing great Sandy Lyle won The Open Championship back in a significant win in 1985
The Scot named Rory McIlroy as his No 1 pick for the 150th Open off the back of his recent win
Lyle spoke to Sportsmail ahead of the 150th Open Championship Claret Jug Tour
Lyle believes McIlroy's momentum off the back of a win at the Canadian Open two weeks ago puts the Northern Irishman right into contention.
'The hot name has got to be McIlroy,' he says. 'I was very impressed. I didn’t watch every minute of it, but down the stretch in Canada and it looked like the old Rory McIlroy. The Rory we know.
'He's driving the ball well. He looked upbeat. He was making putts, he was knocking the pin out with wedges. And he can do that kind of thing and shoot eight under at the same time and only win by two shots when you've got Justin Thomas and Tony Finau breathing down your neck.
Lyle claimed the Northern Irishman will be in contention at the major in St Andrews
'I think they all they enjoyed it. They were all kind of teamed up together and one was feeding off the other. That was nice to see.
'That’s as relaxed as I've seen him play, even though it was high pressure golf. Momentum wise, that's a huge boost. You can't buy that in any shop or any drug store - confidence
'He’s earned it. He’s won the tournament and that’s A plus for him to go into The Open.
Lyle said it was nice to see McIlroy and Justin Thomas (left) enjoying the Canadian Open
'He obviously looks very fit and he's amazing how far he hits the ball for such a small little guy which annoys me sometimes but he’s my No 1 pick right now.'
While McIlroy may be Lyle's frontrunner, he admits he can't resist backing fellow Scot MacIntyre.
Lyle claims the lefty has got the game to win The Open and insists a victory on home soil at St Andrews would be 'huge' for MacIntyre.
Lyle admitted he can't resist backing fellow Scot Robert MacIntyre
'God, it'd be huge,' he exclaims. 'He'd probably be the first Scottish left-handed golfer in forever I should think.
'I've had a few chances to bump into Bob when he practiced at TPC Sawgrass. We have spoken now and then, and he's picked my brain about the Masters.
'He's had a bit of a quiet year this year. I think he's still finding his way around and he is realising golf is a tough game. But he’s had some great positions and great opportunities.
'He's got the game and he could easily win The Open at St Andrews if he gets that putter nice and warm and his confidence.
'He knows that I've won The Open, so he must feel good about being another Scottish player to win The Open Championship and being a left hander is even different.
'MacIntyre is one of the top names that pops into my head right now. He’s got the game, he’s got the length. It’s just about momentum and feeling good about yourself and getting used to playing in the big frame of a major tournament.'
One name that can't go unmentioned is of course Tiger Woods.
The 15-time major champion made a sensational return at the Masters this year, 14 months on from a horrific car crash that almost cost him his leg.
The golfing great sat out the US Open last week to prioritise playing at St Andrews and Lyle insists Woods will be the biggest draw to this year's tournament.
