Sandy Lyle flies solo as other Scots wilt over the years amid Augusta’s azaleas | Ewan Murray

The 1988 Masters champion, now 65, will be the sole representative from the home of golf at this year's tournament

In the coming days there will be a flurry of tributes paid to Sandy Lyle. The 65-year-old's confirmation that he will no longer play on the Champions Tour suggests at the very least that the Masters this week will be the last sight of Lyle in a competitive domain. Lyle is tired of the road and no wonder. Augusta National, where he famously triumphed in 1988, seems a fitting place for goodbye.

Lyle's slide towards well-earned retirement gives cause to ponder another, less illuminating theme. What has become of the great Scottish golfer?