Golf

Seve Ballesteros of Spain accused Paul Azinger of lying during a rules dispute at last month’s Ryder Cup golf matches between the United States and Europe.

Ballesteros, competing in the Volvo Masters at Sotogrande, Spain, said that Azinger and Chip Beck admitted changing to a ball of different compression on the seventh tee of a foursome match, in violation of the one-ball rule.

“Azinger didn’t cheat, but he lied,” the Spaniard said. “He said (the change of ball) happened once, but we know it happened three times. At first he denied it completely, then when he realized they could not lose the hole he changed his statement.

“Azinger is a great player, but he hasn’t won a major tournament, and I think he was trying to be a hero for his team. He was the only one of the American team who did not behave in a proper manner. The American team were 11 nice guys and Paul Azinger.”

Azinger was not available for comment.