TWILIGHT MY FIRE
Lawrie admits he’s finished on regular tour but hopes to set Seniors alight when he turns 50
At 49 years old, the Open-winning legend and two- time Ryder Cup star admits it would take something bordering on miraculous to add to his haul of eight wins on the main tour.
But that doesn’t mean the Aberdonian is ready to abandon ambition and gently freewheel his way downhill towards retirement. Quite the opposite in fact.
For the looming prospect of turning 50 on New Year’s Day offers a host of tantalising opportunities to get his competitive juices f lowing again on America’s lucrative Champions Tour.
The notion of exciting road trips across the United States with his wife Marian and the thrill of contending for senior Major titles softens the sober reality that he can’t live with the young guns.
Lawrie said: “Unfortunately, I see myself now in the twilight of my regular career. I’ve not been competitive for a wee while, apart from the odd week when I feel I can put myself up there.
“That realisation came pretty quickly as even 18 months ago I felt I could still win. But now I’m at a stage where making the cut is a half-decent week and I never felt that would be the case. “You have to face up to reality sometimes. Like everyone does, you wake up one day and get out of bed feeling stiff so competing with these young boys is tough. “Man, watching Rory McIlroy hit the ball last Sunday (when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill). These bunkers he’s taking it over. He’s hitting it 325 yards without any bother. “So realistically, an event like The Open this year at Carnoustie (where Lawrie won the Claret Jug in 1999) is a level that is probably a bit beyond me.
“Even though I feel I can still contend the odd week on certain courses, and that includes events on links courses, my expectations are definitely less.
“But I’m OK with it. I would like to think I couldn’t have been a better player – I have given it everything.
“Had I been someone who’d left a bit out there and partied too much, I’d be sitting here feeling different.
“But I feel as though I have been the best I could have been.
“If you are that then you are OK with it. I’ve had my go on the main tour and now I’m looking forward to having a second go as a senior.
“It is impor tant that I stay competitive this year because I feel as though I could win out on the seniors circuit on a regular basis.
“I’m not fully exempt for the Champions Tour. They’ve changed a few rules but I’ve spoken to the guy who runs it and he’s keen for me to play. They want some European Major winners on the circuit so it’s up to me to grab the opportunity when it comes along.
“Playing between 10 and 12 events over there would be ideal along with a few main European Tour events and a few on the ( European) Staysure Tour as well.
“Come January I’ l l have a pret ty cool schedule coming up.
“I don’t think it was Col in Montgomerie’s intention to play full-time on the Champions Tour when he first went over to the States. “But he loved it, played well and stayed. That might be the case for me or I might not like it. Only time will tell. I wasn’t a huge fan of playing full-time in America after I’d won the Open but I’ve no problems whatsoever going over there.
“The PGA Tour is phenomenal and I think the Champions Tour is the same. Sam Torrance told me it is the best he has ever played on.
“My wife Marian is going to come with me as she wants to do some travelling again now that the boys are a bit bigger. I am looking forward to it.”
The ongoing issue with a foot injury that forced him to withdraw from last yea r’s Du n h i l l Links Championship must have played a significant part in Lawrie reaching his conclusion that his competitive days on the main tour are behind him.
He spent four days at a specialist clinic in Munich where he undergoing a rigorous and painful testing regime but which failed to deliver any improvement.
Lawrie remains philosophical and said: “My foot is not any different.
“I was supposed to go back to Germany this month but I’ve not gone as I didn’t think there was enough improvement. I am resigned to it being how it is – if it means I can only hit 50 balls a day compared to what I’m used to then I’m OK with that.
“The great thing about the seniors is that they play three rounds in most events with no cut so that will be helpful.”
As low as his expectations are for his swansong 27th full season on the main tour, Lawrie has his eyes on an event where he might have a chance of delivering one last fairytale win on home soil.
The Eu rope a n Gol f Team Championships in August add a fascinating ground- breaking format that wi l l see top male and female professionals competing together for the first time.
Lawrie’s unveiling as an ambassador for the event at Gleneagles – along with Ladies European Tour star Carly Booth – put the forthcoming event in the spotlight.
His involvement in the event would be all the more fitting considering that Gleneagles is the venue of his last main tour win, when he lifted the Johnnie Walker title in 2012. A month later he was helping the European Ryder Cup team pul l off the greatest comeback in the tournament ’ s history, dubbed the Mi r a c le of Medinah.
So there would be few places more f itting for Lawrie to achieve one last win before his fresh start among the seniors.
He added: “The Johnnie Walker Championship was always well supported and a l so had some great champions! Gleneagles is the perfect place and with the unique nature of the event – men and women playing together – it will appeal to families which is great.
“It will tick a lot of boxes for people and I don’t see any reason why there can’t be more events like this.
“Keith Pelley (the European Tour chief executive) is trying different formats and this might be one that really appeals to people.”