Lye joined the PGA Tour in 1977. He was a full-time member of tour from 1977 to 1991.[2] In 1980 he finished 39th on the money list,[3] with two runner-up finishes.[2] Three years later, in 1983, he recorded his only victory on the PGA Tour, at the Bank of Boston Classic. Lye was eight shots behind in a tie for 16th when the round started. He did not hold even a share of the lead until the 69th hole of the tournament. He birdied three of the final four holes for a 64 (−7) to win by one shot.[4] Later in the fall, at the last event of the season, he had a runner-up finish at the Pensacola Open. He had six top-10s in total for 1983, his most ever,[2] and finished 28th on the money list, his best ever.[5]
Lye's win qualified him for the 1984 Masters Tournament. He shot first round 69 (−3) and then surged to a three shot lead after a 66. He fell back a little after a third round 73 but was still in second place, one behind Tom Kite. He had a final round of 74, finishing T-6, his best finish in a major championship. Lye had an additional four top-10s in 1984 and finished 43rd on the money list.[6]
In 1995, at the age of 43, Lye tore a ligament in his right hand at the FedEx St. Jude Classic and retired from the tour. He then began working as an analyst for The Golf Channel, eventually rising to lead analyst for men's tournament coverage. After reaching the age of 50 in November 2002, Lye joined the Champions Tour as a part-time player. His best finish on that tour was a solo 9th at the 2004 Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn.[2] To compete in select Champions Tour events, Lye transitioned to being an on-course reporter.
In August 2015, Lye was hired as one of the cohosts of "The Scorecard," a pregame show for Saturday and Sunday rounds of every broadcast PGA Tour event, on Sirius XM.[7] He was fired in February 2022 after making negative on-air comments about women's sports.[8]
Personal life
Lye plays guitar, in particular blues guitar,[9] and has played with a member of Eric Clapton's band.[10] Late in his career he formed Jake Trout and the Flounders, a cover band with fellow professional golfers Payne Stewart and Peter Jacobsen.[11]
Lye is diabetic and has had additional health issues.[10] Lye has battled malignant melanoma. He first discovered a dime-sized mole on his left knee in 1991 and had surgery to remove it. He was cancer free for more than five years; however, in 2002, a small growth on his left thigh was discovered. He had surgery and other aggressive treatments for this recurrence and remains under a doctor's care.[2] Influenced by his cancer diagnosis he became a born-again Christian.[12]
Lye lives in Naples, Florida. He and his wife Lisa have two children, Lucas and Eva.[13]
Awards and honors
Lye was inducted into the California Golf Writers Hall of Fame in February 2007.[14]
United States
