Sandy Lyle issued an apology to Colin Montgomerie after raking up a "cheat" controversy from four years ago. Speaking at Turnberry ahead of the Open Championship, Lyle said he hoped the pair were still friends - but there appeared to be little hope of that.

The damage had already been done by the time the former Open and Masters champion told a packed press conference he regretted bringing up the incident Europe's Ryder Cup captain was involved in four years ago.

"I feel especially bad if I have jeopardised his preparation for the Open Championship," said Lyle.

Yet at no time did he withdraw his comment made to two reporters a week ago and splashed across today’s sporting headlines that what Montgomerie did in Indonesia was "a form of what you would call cheating".

Lyle pleaded the defence of "out of context", but then added: "It's all been well documented. It's all on video. It's not like I'm pre-fabricating.

"The drop wasn't close to where it should be. And on course on TV it doesn't lie."

Montgomerie's reaction to that was far from surprising. Before going out to practice for what could be the last Open of his career, he said: "It's a rather strange apology to be honest with you.

"It's nothing much to do with me at all - it's all Sandy.

"I've read it and I'm digesting it and I'll let you know when I've digested it further.

"I've nothing much to say. I'm just trying to come down here and compete in the Open and my preparations have been slightly dented.

"I'm not very happy about that at all."

Montgomerie gave his prize money to charity after the incident came to light and the European Tour players' committee expressed their dissatisfaction with his actions at the time.

The eight-time European number one had hoped back then a line would be drawn under what became known as 'Jakartagate'. He could never have thought it would cause such a storm again now.

Montgomerie was due to attend the annual dinner of the Association of Golf Writers tonight but informed organisers during the day he would not be going.

Lyle said he had tried to speak to Montgomerie but the mobile number he had was "wiped out". His attempts will continue.

"He's the one I've hurt and he's obviously pretty cheesed off right now,” Lyle added. "That's not my intentions to do that at all. I'm in full support of him being Ryder Cup captain."

It is the second year in a row that Lyle has hit the headlines at The Open - and the two episodes are linked.

The 51-year-old was heavily criticised for walking out after only 10 holes at Royal Birkdale. He maintained he was injured, but to quit the biggest event in golf so soon into it - however bad the weather was - was viewed by some as poor judgement.

And that it turn was portrayed as a black mark against him when it came to choosing the next Ryder Cup captain.

In his statement, Lyle added: "In my frustration over continually being asked about the incident at last year's Open Championship I regretfully brought up another old incident, one that has long since been resolved.

"I was trying to make the point by comparison that neither of these incidents had anything to do with the selection of the current Ryder Cup captain.

"I deeply regret making this comparison and apologise to Colin for involving him in my own issue.

"I sincerely hope that nothing more will be made of this issue. I hope our friendship is still there.

"I will speak to him when I can. Later on today if he's here.''

Outside the Turnberry clubhouse soon afterwards, however, they were a few yards apart and Montgomerie walked straight past on his way to the first tee.