The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting back to his roots keeps Lawrie on form
Golf: Scottish star going back to where it all began for him as part of his preparations for the European Tour
Paul Lawrie’s going back to his roots this weekend to start his preparations for high season on the European Tour.
The former Open champion will play in the Scottish PGA Championship on Gleneagles’ King’s Course starting on Sunday, going back to the Tartan Tour where he launched his professional career 25 years ago.
It’s a far cry from Ryder Cups and winning tour events at the Perthshire resort as he did in 2012, but it’ll be the third time Lawrie has stepped off the big tour to play with his friends in the club professional ranks in Scotland, having won the title in 1992 at Cardross and in 2005 at the PGA Centenary Course.
“1992 was my first year on the European Tour, I had retained my card pretty early so I came off to play at Cardross, not that I remember much about it,” he said.
“It’ll be different, but I played with these lads when I was coming through. I really learned my trade on the Tartan Tour.”
Lawrie has sponsored several events for young professionals as well as his annual Invitational tournament at Deeside.
“I feel they were good to me when I played, so any time I can I go back or help, I do it,” he said.
“When I played there were a lot of three or four round events, and now it’s mostly pro-ams, but that’s what the Invitational was all about, at Deeside, giving the guys more of a chance.
“This also fits in with my plans. I knew I wasn’t going to have a lot of golf between the Middle East and prior to the Spanish Open, so this is a good chance to get up to speed.
“I played last week in China but missed the cut and it’ll be good to stay down at Gleneagles and get some golf in.
“A lot of my golf days are on the King’s and Queen’s but I’ve not played the King’s competitively really since the Scottish Open was there all those years ago, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The field is playing for a prize fund of £40,000 and places in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open qualifying tournament as well as the historic title, which dates back over a century. Gareth Wright, the West Linton professional, is defending the championship.