Sandy Lyle, Stephen Gallacher and R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2024.
Lyle, a two-time Major Champion and five-time Ryder Cup player, has been appointed an OBE for services to golf.
The 66 year old Scot won 18 times on the European Tour – now know as the DP World Tour – and after being named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 1978, he won the Order of Merit in 1979, 1980 and 1985 - the year he claimed the Open Championship at Royal St Georges.
In 1988 he became the first British player to win a Green Jacket at Augusta National, after a closing birdie set up by a seven iron fairway bunker shot that is now firmly part of Masters Tournament folklore. He has played in more than 100 Major Championships and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
"I am both honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way once more for my contribution to the game I have loved for as long as I could hold a club," Lyle said. "To receive an MBE in 1987 was beyond my expectations but to be honoured with an OBE once again is something of which I'm incredibly proud.
"The game of golf has brought me so many incredible moments and memories over the years and I have been blessed and privileged to share these with family and great friends throughout my career. I have been afforded unwavering support from the Great British public throughout the inevitable ups and downs of a long career and for that I wish to give my heartfelt thanks.
"Looking at the game as it is today, I realise just how far it has come since my early days. I look at the incredible amount of talent in our country, and throughout all of Europe, and I hope that, to some extent, I helped pave the way for this success with my own in the 70s, 80s and 90s."
Lyle’s compatriot Gallacher received an MBE in the Honours Lists, recognising his services to the sport over a professional career that has spanned nearly 30 years.
The 49 year old has won four times on the DP World Tour, including the consecutive Omega Dubai Desert Classic titles in 2013 and 2014, and made more than 650 appearances.
He played in the Ryder Cup on home soil at Gleneagles in 2014 as part of Paul McGinley’s victorious European Team and last year led Europe’s Junior Ryder Cup Team 20½-9½ victory against the United States, ending a streak of six consecutive defeats.
Gallacher has also made a significant contribution to the game of golf through his eponymous Foundation, with thousands of children benefiting from the coaching and education it has provided.
I am very proud to be awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Golf has given me so many amazing experiences, and I am very grateful to everyone who has been there to help and support me throughout. To Helen, Jack and Ellie, I would never have received this without you pic.twitter.com/tUkv7oM6OE
— Stephen Gallacher (@stevieggolf) June 15, 2024
Meanwhile, Martin Slumbers has been appointed an OBE. Earlier this year, he announced he would be stepping down from his role as CEO of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club by the end of 2024.
“When I took up the role at The R&A in 2015 I was motivated to give something back to the game I love,” said Slumbers. “I discovered a real passion for our sport and a desire to increase its popularity and appeal. To be recognised in this way for that is truly humbling and I would like to record my appreciation for the hugely talented and professional team of colleagues at The R&A who have supported me over the last decade. It really has been a wonderful experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
