Two of Britain’s foremost players over the past 30 years, Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle, have both accepted an invitation to become honourary members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
In so doing, the pair joined a select group, the honour having previously been bestowed upon just eight fellow Open champions: Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Roberto de Vicenzo, Tony Jacklin, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson.
“Sir Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle have enjoyed long and successful careers and are wonderful ambassadors for golf around the world,” said George Macgregor, the R&A’s new captain. “They were instrumental in leading the resurgence of British golf and have undoubtedly been role models for subsequent generations of golfers. We are extremely pleased that they have accepted invitations to become honourary members of the club.”
Faldo is unquestionably the most successful British golfer of the modern era, with six major titles to his name, including three Open Championship successes – at St Andrews in 1990 and Muirfield in 1987 and 1992.
Faldo, who will play in his last Open at St Andrews this summer on the 25th anniversary of his victory at the home of golf, said: “St Andrews frames many of my most treasured memories in golf, including those of my second Open win 25 years ago,”said Faldo. “I am honoured to receive this invitation and look forward to celebrating nearly 40 years as a professional at the home of golf in July.”
Lyle won the Open at Royal St George’s in 1985, and followed that up by becoming Masters champion three years later and, in addition to those two majors, won a combined 20 titles on the European Tour and PGA Tour. One of those came in the 1987 Players Championship, while he also topped the European Order of Merit three times between 1979 amd 1985.
On the team front, Lyle played in five Ryder Cups, but has suffered the disappointment of being overlooked for the captaincy.
The 57 year old, who now plays mainly on the Champions Tour, said: “It was a lifetime ambition for me to win the Open and I will never forget how it felt to lift the Claret Jug. Golf has given me a great deal over the years and I feel privileged to have been invited to become part of this great club.”