Quitting is the best strategy for Lyle, Beem

Royal Birkdale was so punishing for the opening round of the British Open that two major champions didn't even bother to finish. Sandy Lyle won the 1985 British Open and was making his 33rd start in golf's oldest championship. The 50-year-old Scot played only 10 holes in the rain and wind before he called it quits. He was 11 over par. "It's just a difficult, difficult golf course," Lyle said after walking off the course. "I was out of whack with my golf game and I think it was best to call it a day." Former PGA champion Rich Beem, already worn out from a busy summer schedule that included qualifying for this championship, was 12 over at the turn when he decided he was better off not playing. "I'm fine," Beem said when reached on his cell phone. "I've played a lot of golf and I'm fried. If I had continued, I don't think I... [read full story]