LIV Golf's Kokrak SLAMS Augusta officials for their treatment of Lyle

LIV Golf’s Jason Kokrak SLAMS Augusta officials for their treatment of legend Sandy Lyle at his last Masters… after storm forced 1988 champion off the 18th green – and he was made to come back and putt the next day!

  • Sandy Lyle was playing in his 42nd and final Masters Tournament this year 
  • Jason Kokrak called decision to force him off the 18th green as ‘chicken sh**’ 
  • THE MASTERS LIVE: Follow all the action from the final day at Augusta National

LIV Golf star Jason Kokrak has slammed the ‘chicken s***’ decision from Augusta officials to make 1988 champion Sandy Lyle leave the 18th green without putting out after bad weather stopped play on Friday afternoon.

Lyle, who was appearing in his 42nd and final Masters Tournament, was about to miss the cut and putt for the final time at Augusta National when electrical storms caused play to stop.

Despite fans surrounding the green for Lyle’s big moment, he was made to leave the green and eventually finished his round on Saturday, with far fewer patrons in attendance – 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, being the 88 champion.

‘Him and Larry [Mize] being their last Masters. I asked them for a special exemption. They said they weren’t even going to blow the horn for a few more minutes, but the trees came down on 17.

Sandy Lyle takes a small applause after putting out on the 18th green – much later than planned

Lyle shows patrons his replica gold putter from when he won The Masters back in 1988

Lyle and Larry Mize (right) both ended their Masters careers for the final time on Saturday

‘I said this is a moment that he’s not going to 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 for him not to be able to have that moment.’

Kokrak left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf last July, but appeared to remember the traditions of the sport with his comments regarding Lyle’s final round.

The weather has played a massive part in proceedings at Augusta during this year’s tournament, with the third and fourth rounds being squeezed into Sunday’s action as organizers try to avoid playing on Monday.

Friday’s play was stopped when three trees came tumbling down next to the 17th tee, narrowly missing patrons sitting beneath them.

Jason Kokrak (right) watches on on Friday as officials force the players off on the 18th green

The difficult decision regarding Lyle being forced off the course was made amid safety concerns, as officials tried to evacuate the course before anyone was injured.

Thankfully, no further incidents occurred and the three trees that fell narrowly missed all patrons watching the action.

Saturday’s play was also stopped early, and Tiger Woods withdrew from the competition shortly before he was due to play 29 holes of golf on Sunday. 

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