The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Oh baby, Law is up for challenge
Golf: Impending fatherhood helps David put things in perspective at Aviemore
Aberdeen golfer David Law has extra motivation for this week’s SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley, Aviemore.
The 26-year-old’s pregnant girlfriend Natasha’s due date is next week which means this could be Law’s last Challenge Tour event before becoming a father for the first time.
The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre player knows a good performance in the £220,000 event would help cover the cost of a few nappies.
Law said: “It is an exciting time and it makes you realise there is more to life than golf.
“In a funny way, I am more relaxed about this week’s SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge than I have been in previous years because my mind is focused a bit more on other things.
“Every golfer puts extra pressure on themselves when they play in a home event but it is not something I have thought about too much this time.
“The most important thing is the baby arriving safely, so it does take your mind away from the golf to an extent. The due date is next week and I don’t know what we will do if the baby decides to come before then.
“I’m obviously trying to provide for the baby, so I want to do well this week but I also want to be there for Natasha when it happens. Hopefully, the baby holds on until the due date but if not we will cross that bridge if and when it happens.”
Law, who finished tied 50th at last week’s Made in Denmark Challenge, has made the cut in eight of his last nine events and sits 87th in the Challenge Tour rankings.
He added: “The Scottish Hydro is a really great event on a very nice course but it is not one that I have performed particularly well at, so hopefully that changes this week.
“I played some decent golf in the last few weeks but I haven’t scored as well as I would have liked.
“I have seen big improvements in my driving in the last three or four events and my putting has been good this season. There has been room for improvement in my iron play recently so that is what I have been working on. But two of the most important parts of the game are driving and putting and I’m doing that well enough.
“I just need to be hitting it closer on the greens to give myself more birdie opportunities.”