English golfer Barry Lane, a five-time winner on the European Tour and a former Ryder Cup player, has died at the age of 62 after a short illness, officials said Sunday.
Lane made 693 starts on the European Tour – now known as the DP World Tour – and is fourth on the all-time appearance list.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Barry Lane,” said Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s chief executive.
Lane collected titles at the 1988 Scottish Open, 1992 German Masters, European Masters in 1993 and Balearic Open in 1994.
He then had to wait 10 years for his fifth and final title at the 2004 British Masters.
Lane’s best performance at the majors was a 13th-place finish at the British Open in 1993, the same year he made his only Ryder Cup appearance in a defeat to the United States.
“Barry Lane was a prince of a guy. He will be missed. RIP,” tweeted fellow British player and two-time major champion Tony Jacklin.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Barry Lane,” European Tour CEO Keith Pelley said.
“To have seen such a level of success across both the European Tour and the now Legends Tour shows his dedication to the game of golf and he was a much-loved figure on both tours. The renaming of the Legends Tour’s Rookie of the Year trophy in his honour is a fitting tribute, and I’m delighted he had the opportunity to present it in December.”
Irish golf veteran Paul McGinley tweeted: “RIP barry – sweetest guy to the very end and coming all the way to Mauritius a few weeks ago, despite very ill health, to say goodbye to all his Tour family says a lot to his bravery & to the close kinship & friendships we all form on Tour.”
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler posted: “Rip Barry … an absolute legend of a bloke, will be sadly missed.”
Source: news.com.au