Lawrie misses being part of Tiger’s circus
INJURY has robbed Paul Lawrie of the chance to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane at Carnoustie, scene of his 1999 Open triumph.
But the Aberdeen ace would give anything to be lining up at the Angus links this week in the company of comeback star Tiger Woods.
Some players hate being drawn to play with the former world No 1, claiming that the hype that surrounds Tiger is a major distraction.
But Lawrie is not in that camp. Indeed, the 49-year-old would love to be part of the Tiger circus.
Recalling that he played with Tiger the last time the Open was at Carnoustie in 2007, Lawrie said: ‘I remember Peter Dawson, the then R&A chief executive, coming over and saying they we’re giving me Tiger to play with.
‘I thought that was a nice touch. Then when we arrived on the first tee there were people everywhere, even inside the ropes. There was an unbelievable amount of people walking round with our group, because the third person was Justin Rose. It was just mayhem, but you’ve got to deal with that, it’s just part of what Tiger brings to the game.
‘He’s absolutely cool to play with. I’ve played with him a few times and I’ve never had a problem with him.
‘The biggest thing I remember from 2007 was how poorly he played in those first two days and yet still finished 12th in the tournament.
‘That’s when you learn that hitting it has got nothing to do with how you actually perform and score. He literally hit it sideways for two days and still got himself in contention.
‘He ended up hitting a horrible pull hook off the first into the water and, for a good player, that’s a terrible shot.’
There was a time when Tiger remained largely aloof from his rivals. But Lawrie insisted: ‘He’s changed a lot, but haven’t we all. I’ve changed from when I was an angry young man.
‘He looks as though he’s enjoying it and there’s no question he is back to the level he was at before. He’s got even more speed than he had before and he’s hitting it miles, so I can see him winning again, no question.’