March 21, 2004

GALLOWAY, OH — Although, Chris Lashley has not withdrawn from the Open Championship or hung up his spikes, the Carolina legend still plans to better his putting stroke, increase his accuracy, and decrease speculation that he could be about to retire from tournament golf.

Lashley, whose game has been in sharp decline since winning the 2002 On Tour Championship, vociferously denied reports earlier this month that he was on the brink of retiring, and declined to comment on the subject on Saturday.

He stepped away from the 2002 Open Championship to try to regroup at his home in Rocky Mount, near Raleigh.  He struggled on his return to competition last summer, finishing like a club hacker.

"I?m not done playing tournament golf yet," the once great golfer said. "I?ll play a little more this year, but this might be my last shot. Only because I?m not competitive unless I am playing with Myers.  I do not want to be a ceremonial golfer or a opening act because that just drives me crazy. I don?t want to embarrass myself."