The Masters: LIV’s Jason Kokrak SLAMS Augusta officials for their treatment of legend Sandy Lyle
LIV Golf’s Jason Kokrak BEATS Augusta officials for their treatment of legend Sandy Lyle during his final Masters… after a storm forced the 1988 champion off the 18th green – and he had to come back and putt the next day!
LIV Golfer Jason Kokrak has criticized Augusta officials’ ‘chickens***’ decision to allow 1988 champion Sandy Lyle to leave the 18th green without staking after bad weather disrupted play on Friday afternoon stopped.
Lyle, entering his 42nd and final Masters tournament, was about to miss the cut and putt for the last time at Augusta National when a thunderstorm stopped play.
Despite fans lining the green for Lyle’s big moment, he had to leave the green and eventually finished his round on Saturday, with far fewer regulars—two-putting for par.
“It’s chicken s***,” Kokrak – who was playing with Lyle – said in the aftermath. “It could have been a really cool moment for Sandy Lyle, his family, the patrons, Augusta National, who was the 88 champion.
“He and Larry [Mize] being their last masters. I asked them for a special exemption. They said they wouldn’t blow the horn for another few minutes, but at 17 the trees came down.
Sandy Lyle gets a small round of applause after she came out on the 18th green – much later than planned
Lyle shows customers his replica gold putter from when he won The Masters in 1988
Lyle and Larry Mize (right) both finished their Masters careers for the last time on Saturday
“I said this is a moment he won’t get again. So I think Augusta National and the Rules Committee should be ashamed of themselves. And I’m really disappointed for him and his family that he can’t have that moment.”
Kokrak left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf last July, but seemed to remember the sport’s traditions with his comments about Lyle’s last round.
Weather played a big part in this year’s tournament in Augusta, with the third and fourth rounds squeezed into Sunday’s action as organizers try not to play on Mondays.
Friday’s play was halted when three trees fell down next to the 17th tee, narrowly missing the patrons sitting below.
Jason Kokrak (right) watches on Friday as officials force the players on the 18th green to leave
The difficult decision that Lyle be forced off the track was made out of safety concerns as officials attempted to evacuate the track before anyone was injured.
Fortunately, no further incidents occurred and the three trees that fell narrowly missed all the customers watching the action.
Saturday’s play was also halted early and Tiger Woods retired from the competition shortly before he was due to play 29 holes on Sunday.