Why Lyle turned his back on Hollywood lifestyle

In a sports world dominated by the huge spending plans of a Russian billionaire and the lucrative, global marketing of David Beckham, former champion Sandy Lyle prepared for Thursday's start of The Open today with a refreshing - almost old-fashioned - attitude towards money.

On his return to the course where he won in 1985, the 45-year-old Scot was asked whether he had got enough credit for winning at Royal St George's and becoming Britain's first Open champion since Tony Jacklin in 1969.

Lyle admitted he had the opportunity to cash in with lucrative endorsements, especially since he won the US Masters three years later. He made millions in prize money on the European and US Tours, but he turned his back on going into the big time commercially.

"If you want to go sort of Hollywood route and do all the commercials, it is available. But I sort of shunned all that thing," he said. "They were there but I didn't want to do it. My golf was more important to me. Unfortunately, the golf went south for quite a time in the 1990s so I have had more of a battle trying to get my game back together again."

Lyle's lack of concern about cashing-in makes him a rare bird. Even in Sandwich some wealthy local residents have been charging a £10 road toll to fans on their way to the qualifying rounds - to the annoyance of Royal & Ancient officials.

Lyle is unlikely to get hold of the Claret Jug this time but his views on the course are worth listening to. He believes mistakes off the tee are going to be punished severely.