Lawrie becomes touring pro for Carnoustie Links

GOLF: Open champion will wear logo of 1999 victory venue on tour

Paul Lawrie will represent Carnoustie Golf Links, where he won his Open Championship title, as their attached touring professional and become an official ambassador for the venue.

The 51-year-old will wear the Carnoustie Links crest in his appearances in both regular and senior golf across the world and he said the arrangement made sense as his career was “inextricably linked” with the venue.

Lawrie won the Open when it returned to the Angus venue after a 14-year gap in 1999 in the most dramatic of circumstances, making up a 10-shot gap on the final day with a final round 67 and beating Jean van der Velde and Justin Leonard in a four-hole play-off, crowned by his famous four-iron to four feet for a closing and clinching birdie.

That 10-shot deficit is still the biggest made up in the final round by any major winner, and Lawrie is still the only player to win the Open coming through the final stage of qualifying.

“I’m really thrilled to be able to wear the Carnoustie Golf Links logo on my chest and to promote such an historic and wonderful venue when I play events all around the world,” he said.

“Obviously, Carnoustie was the scene of what is my greatest success as a golfer, but I love this place anyway, not just because of my history with it but because the ongoing investments by the Links over the past several years in their facilities and golf development programmes has stepped it up to another level altogether.

“The fantastic new Links House is what

US modify cup picks

The United States have changed their qualifying criteria for this year’s Ryder Cup, with six players earning selection through its points list while the remaining six will be chosen by captain Steve Stricker.

Previous processes have seen eight qualify through the points system, which is based on prize money won in important tournaments, while the captain’s picks would make up the remainder of the team.

However, the pandemic has led to a rethink and the BMW Championship, which ends on August 30, will mark the cut-off for points accrued through the season for US selection for the Ryder Cup, scheduled for September 25-27 at Whistling Straits. you’d expect of a world class complex and the three courses here are all excellent, not just the Championship Course which we know best.”

Carnoustie’s focus on the junior game is also something that Lawrie is enthusiastic about.

“Junior development is extremely close to my heart; my foundation was born, largely, off the back of my Open success and to see the brilliant work being done by Carnoustie on this front is exciting,” he said.

“I look forward to being able to contribute to their great work within the local community around the inclusive golf development programmes, lending my own experience and insights to assist PGA head professional Keir McNicoll and his coaching team to help nurture future talent from the Carnoustie area. ”

Michael Wells, chief executive of Carnoustie Golf Links said the links were delighted to secure Lawrie as their representative.

“At Carnoustie we want to be considered as a flagship for the modernisation of the game,” he said.

“By joining forces with Paul, we can work together and unify our collective commitment to innovation and golf development, and we look forward to working together to create maximum benefit for all.”