We recently caught up with World Golf Hall of Fame Member and 1987 THE PLAYERS Champion Sandy Lyle, who outlasted Jeff Sluman in a three-hole playoff becoming the first international player to win the tournament. Here’s what he had to say about his historic win 30 years ago:

This year marks your 30 year anniversary since winning THE PLAYERS. How did that win impact your career?

I think winning was the most important thing as a younger player. THE PLAYERS had some of the biggest prize money and some of the best field that we’ve played all year, and to top it off, it is renowned as the fifth Major. The 10-year exemption was a very sweet thing to have in winning that tournament, so I felt that was a huge advantage to have as a European player. It meant I could play comfortably in America as well as Europe.

Take us through the moment when you won in a three-round playoff against Jeff Sluman.

It was a little bit of a surprise because I had a good finish in the last three holes, went to the locker room, and thought I had a good chance to be top-2 or top-3, which I was really happy with. Then before you know it, I was in the playoff. By the time we started, it was quite late in the evening due to some stormy weather, and it was growing dark quite rapidly.

After the 16th hole, Sluman had a chance to put me out of my misery on the 17th with a shot from about 6 or 7 feet. Fortunately for me, he missed. We went onto 18, which always gets my heart going. I can remember very clearly hitting my one-iron off the tee (it wasn’t as long of a hole as it is now).

I couldn’t see the green or the flag with the second shot. I chose my five-iron and lined it up with one of the lights in the background. It was a scary moment. I listened to the crowd’s reaction, and I was very thankful to hear cheers to know I was close enough to the hole.

You were the first international golfer to win THE PLAYERS Championship. What did that mean for you, and what did that mean for golf in Scotland?

It helped to put Europe and Great Britain more on the map. We have good players out there, and we can compete at a very high level against the American field. I think anytime Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo or Ian Woosnam get a win, it gives us more encouragement as international players.

What do you think was the most challenging aspect of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass?

Everybody talks about 17, but the course is relentless right from the first hole. You can’t relax for a minute because danger lurks all over the place. You have to shape the ball left and right and be very patient. The deep bunkers, small landing areas and water hazards will test you right to the limit… and that’s what a Major does.

Do you have any advice for some of our new golfers that will be out on the course?

Take plenty of golf balls with you if you’re going to play the Stadium Course. It’s important to have good knowledge of the game itself. Take lessons and gain the right golf swing. We have a lot of young ones who love the game because of Tiger Woods and other great players, so I would encourage them to gain the knowledge behind the game, and get out there and play.