In another (this time genuinely) shock result, the Canadian George Seymour Lyon won 3 & 2 from the red-hot favourite Egan in the men’s individual contest. It was an upset because Lyon, at 46, was twice Egan’s age, having only taken up the game when he was 38, cricket being his first sporting passion. That said, Lyon had already won three of what would eventually be eight Canadian Amateur titles, and in later years reached the final of the US Amateur and the semi-finals of the British Amateur. Egan admitted later that he had been “outclassed” by the powerful Lyon, whose massive drives overwhelmed his younger opponent. In the stroke play section, Lyon had also broken the course record with a 77. Egan may also have been distracted during the round by Lyon reportedly telling jokes, singing and laughing. Lyon’s eccentricities carried on right through to the awards ceremony, where he walked on his hands to receive the $1,500 sterling silver trophy.
Lyon’s Olympic adventures didn’t stop there however. In 1908, now 50-years-old, he sailed to England to defend his title in London, only to discover that he was the only entrant. Having ignored an earlier Olympic Committee approach to get involved, at the last minute the R&A questioned some entrants’ eligibility and as a result all British players boycotted the event. The organizers offered Lyon the gold medal as he was the only golfer willing to play, but he honorably refused it and the event was removed from the games.
So there you have it. Hardly a glorious history, but clearly golf’s Olympic ambitions have garnered infinitely more attention in recent times and the commitment of the game’s ruling bodies is clear for all to see. Here’s hoping we get the spectacle and drama the event deserves.
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