"It was like watching a one-act French farce."

For the backstory on Lyle v. Monty (and Jakarta in particular), check out John Huggan's column.

Dan Jenkins has already found his Twitter groove and tells you all you need to know about Lyle's apology.

Sandy Lyle says he's sorry for suggesting that Monty cheated years ago. Then he suggested that Monty cheated years ago.

Karl MacGinty files an entertaining account of Lyle's "train wreck" of a hastily arranged news conference to clarify the remarks.

Montgomerie spent much of yesterday out of public view and cancelled plans to attend the Annual Golf Writers banquet last night, but he was tracked down by reporters at Turnberry during the afternoon.

“I don't want to say much at all,” the Ryder Cup captain said. “It hasn't much to do with me. It's all Sandy. I found it a rather strange apology. I have read it and am digesting it. I will let you know when I have digested it further.

“I have come here to try to compete in The Open and my preparations have been slightly dented. I'm not very happy about that at all. I found it a very strange apology, to be honest, and you'll be hearing from me later on.”

We will be here for you Monty when you are ready to continue this glorious spat.

Phillip Reid adds this detail about the timing of the story and Lyle's actual remarks Tuesday:

Lyle’s original comments – to two journalists last Friday during the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, but which were only published in British national papers yesterday – referred to an incident in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta in 2005 where video evidence indicated Montgomerie had taken an incorrect drop after a rain delay.

After reading his statement, Lyle partook in a QA session in which he expanded on the issues and, basically, backed up his original comments. Of the drop in Indonesia, which he reminded everyone was “all on video, it’s not like I’m prefabricating (sic)”, Lyle expanded: “It was a pretty poor drop. And it was one of his mistakes. I didn’t make him do that mistake, it was his mistake. And it will probably live with him for the rest of his life; it’ll be cropping up. I can’t do anything against that.”

Lyle, a former US Masters and British Open champion, added: “I’m only trying to protect myself when I got called a quitter and (accused of) walking off the golf course when I’ve got a legitimate hand injury . . . my decision was legit and I’ve got X-rays at home to prove (it).”

Peter Dixon features a statement from Monty's agent and suggests that "legal action could be considered."

Mike Aitken clarifies whether Lyle faces a fine and paints this picture of Monty's day.

There was no immediate reaction from the European Tour to the original attack, but it's expected Lyle will be disciplined for his comments, bearing in mind the Tour's regulations stipulate "it's an obligation of membership to refrain from comments to the media that attack, disparage or criticise tournament sponsors or promoters, fellow competitors, the European Tour or its officials."

And...

On leaving the practice range, he was asked if he had any reaction to Lyle's remarks. "Nothing to say on the comments, nothing to say at all," he replied initially. When told Lyle had apologised, the Ryder Cup captain simply shrugged his shoulders.

He walked back to the clubhouse at a brisk lick where, coincidentally, Lyle was registering. Lyle seemed to try and catch Monty's eye, but by now the possibility of a rapprochement between the giants of Scottish golf was slight. Montgomerie went into the club shop to peruse a paper copy of Lyle's remarks while the older man left through another door. It was like watching a one-act French farce.