Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle accept St Andrews invitation

Sir Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle have accepted invitations to become honorary members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Two of Britain’s most decorated golfers, Faldo and Lyle inspired a generation of players with their wins in The Open and the Masters and were at the forefront of a new wave of European golfers who rose to prominence in the 1980s.

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They join fellow Open Champions Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Roberto de Vicenzo, Tony Jacklin, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson in becoming honorary members.
I am honoured to receive this invitation and look forward to celebrating nearly 40 years as a professional Sir Nick said: “St Andrews frames many of my most treasured memories in golf including those of my second Open win 25 years ago.

“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.”

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“I am delighted to receive this recognition,” said Sandy.

“It was a lifetime ambition for me to win The Open and I will never forget how it felt to life 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.”

Faldo is a six-time major champion. He will play his last Open this year on the 25th anniversary of his win at St Andrews as he celebrates his 58th birthday.

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He also won The Open at Muirfield in both 1987 and 1992 and finished in the top ten in the Championship on ten occasions between 1978 and 2003. He won the Masters Tournament on three occasions.

Lyle will this year celebrate the 30th anniversary of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal St George’s. He went on to win the Masters Tournament three years later.

Lyle won a further four events on the PGA Tour, including the 1987 Players Championship, and 16 events on the European Tour.

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