• Game can ‘hold head high’ despite Montgomerie row
• Scot says it is obvious Lyle is upset at Ryder Cup snub

Peter Dawson, the chief executive of the Royal and Ancient, has been forced to issue a staunch defence of golf’s integrity on the eve of the biggest event in the game’s calendar. Sandy Lyle’s “cheating” accusation towards Colin Montgomerie this week has not only created an intriguing subplot to the Open Championship but has reopened the debate over whether dubious on-course practices are common among professional players.

“Without ever wanting to be complacent about that, I think the game of golf can hold its head up generally very high in terms of sense of fair play, respect for fellow competitors and adherence to the rules,” Dawson said. “I see no signs of that great tradition in this game declining and I’m delighted to say so.”

The English professional Gary Evans, who criticised Montgomerie at the time of the Indonesian Open scandal in 2005, reiterated this week that “there is a feeling among players that some high-profile performers appear to get away with murder”. Dawson, however, sought to keep out of the spat between Lyle and Montgomerie, the European Ryder Cup captain.

“It’s not really our business,” he said. “All I would say is it’s a great shame when professional players like that get into those sorts of arguments. I very much hope it will be sorted out as soon as possible.”

The European Tour yesterday took a firmer view, with its chief executive, George O’Grady, condemning “wholly inappropriate and ill-timed” comments by Lyle towards his fellow Scot. Privately O’Grady has alluded to a “crime of passion” by the two-time major winner on account of his being overlooked for the Ryder Cup captaincy.

Montgomerie welcomed O’Grady’s comments but remains agitated by the affair. “I’ve come here to play golf and been hit with this. Just because he [Lyle] is disappointed not to be made captain, please don’t take it out on me,” he said, adding: “It has to affect whatever friendship we had, doesn’t it?”

Montgomerie effectively confirmed he would not choose Lyle as a vice-captain for the Ryder Cup – “I think you know the answer to that one” – and said he was grateful for the text messages of support he has received. “They have come from Ryder Cup golfers past and present and from other players around the world. I am not going to mention names because it will only bring a shower of microphones down on their heads. But I know who you are and have been touched by your words.”

Dawson revealed he will undergo a drugs test today as the Open introduces anti-doping measures. “I want to see the process first-hand,” he said. “We are using the European Tour procedure and policy which involves a selection of players. This is another week on tour, essentially, there is no special policy for the Open Championship.”

Dawson insisted testing will remain as part of the Open, regardless of whether golf succeeds in its bid to become an Olympic sport. “There can be no case in my view for stopping testing,” he said.

Paul Broadhurst will hit the first tee shot of the championship, at 6.30am today. Padraig Harrington’s bid for a third consecutive Claret Jug gets under way at 2.20pm in the company of Jim Furyk and Geoff Ogilvy, and Montgomerie will open his latest attempt to end his major drought an hour earlier. The biggest crowds are set to follow the world No1, Tiger Woods, Worksop’s Lee Westwood, and the Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa from 9.09am.