Sandy Lyle would dearly love to face the USA in the Ryder Cup for a sixth time next year at Brookline, Mass., but he never wants to captain the European team.

As one of the famous five whose exploits tilted the balance of power to this side of the pond, Lyle would have been an obvious candidate at some stage to assume the role.

Seve Ballesteros led the European team to victory at Valderrama last year and Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, and Bernhard Langer, who make up that quintet, will certainly be offered the captaincy in the future.

Yesterday, after making the cut at the Volvo PGA Championship, his first since Doral at the beginning of March and playing encouragingly for all four rounds, the Scot explained why he does not wish to be considered for one of golf's highest honours. ''The role is not for me. I am more of a behind-the-scenes man.''

His overriding concern is to hold on to his PGA Tour card. His 10-year exemption expires this year and, by his estimate, he needs to win $250,000. At present only $50,000 has been earned.

If the Scot fails, then he has a major decision to reach over his career. He can remain in America and hope for sponsors' invites or return to Europe where his past record guarantees exemption.

''I believe I could get a few invites in the USA although this is getting harder all the time. For an American player to lose his card is a disaster - the end of the world. At least I have other options, including the world championship events next year for which I would qualify.

''My problem is putting and on uphill ones particularly. When the ball needs hitting I flinch on them, but on the downhill ones I have no such trouble.''

Currently without an equipment contract, Lyle has returned to traditional irons with forged blades. He will never agree another deal unless the clubs suit him.

Whatever happens in the months ahead, Lyle and his Dutch wife Jolande are determined their two children, Alexandra, 5, and Quintin, 3, will be educated in this country. They will return to Scotland when his daughter is ready to enter secondary school, regardless of how he is faring at that point.

He still owns a house in Dolphington as well as properties in Wentworth and Sawgrass, Florida.

The unprecedented display by Scots in the Volvo PGA Championship, where four finished in the top five, has brought a call for the Scottish Open to be resurrected.

Andrew Coltart, who collected #37,160 for his fifth place behind winner Colin Montgomerie, is optimistic that this may happen after events at Wentworth.

''Having so many of our lads involved in the last day of the Volvo shows that the talent is there,'' said the Qatar Masters winner. ''Hopefully this will persuade some businessman or company to put their hand in their pocket and put the tournament on again.

''It was always a quality field at Gleneagles and Carnoustie and I am certain that the top players would again be attracted to it because this is the home of golf.''

The prospects of this happening are not encouraging. The Scottish PGA still cannot find a sponsor for their flagship event. While golf grows rapidly around the world, Scotland has only one event on the European Tour - the Standard Life Loch Lomond Invitational.

Bells were the last backers of the Scottish Open which enjoyed tremendous support from golf fans here. Europe's No.1, Montgomerie, would commit because he cares passionately about his country, and foreign players would prefer to come here rather than other stops because of the special mystique that Scotland holds.

qLee Westwood, widely perceived as the best prospect in Europe to rival Tiger Woods, has gone another step towards parity with the American.

Woods already has his own web-site on the Internet and fan club, and now the Englishman is about to follow suit. His aunt and uncle will run his supporters club from Enterprise House, Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts, and for a #25 fee members will receive quarterly newsletters, mementoes and be able to compete in competitions when the club commences on August 1.

qThe World Scientific Congress of Golf, which will be held in St Andrews University from July 20-24, has attracted 350 international delegates.

Its purpose is to bring together scientists, coaches, manufacturers, and players to exchange ideas on golf-related subjects.

Spokesperson Valerie Melvin said yesterday: ''Gary Player will be one of the speakers and we have the backing of the R&A and the USGA. There will be experts in every field. The intention is to find ways of improving every aspect of the game as it moves towards the millenium.''