Interview
Law on Lawrie:
It has been an unusual week for the Scottish contingent at St Andrews, not having Paul Lawrie around as the senior figure of the group.
The 1999 Open Champion called it quits on his time on the European Tour at the recent Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.
After 620 events, at 51, the Aberdonian decided it was time to take a step back, although he still plans to compete when the rebranded Legends Tour resumes next year.
No one has felt Lawrie’s absence quite as much as David Law.
Lawrie has been a guiding light for his fellow Granite City golfer, ever since they first played together when Law was an up- and- coming 14-year-old amateur.
David still uses the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre as his practice base when at home, and he’s in the management stable that Lawrie established in 2018.
The imprint on his career is obvious, and David can’t thank his mentor enough for that helping hand.
“It was great to start my career with Paul out here,” Law told The Sunday Post.
“He helped me so much through my amateur career, and my early pro career.
“To have a Major Champion – an Open winner – believe in you gives you so much confidence.
“It’s hard to pick out one thing I’ve learnt from him in particular.
“Sometimes it’s not what someone tells you, it can simply be from watching them, or seeing their character, or how competitive they are.
“But I was impressed with Paul’s work ethic when the chips were down.
“As a young kid, you think every pro golfer plays great all the time. That’s not true, and it’s good to see.
“I was there between 2011 and 2013 when Paul was playing really good golf, and then a few years later when he was struggling a bit.
“But he practised just as hard when he wasn’t doing so well as when his game was good.
“I remember when we played together when I was 14, and I was really nervous. Coming from Aberdeen, I had always looked up to Paul.
“I’ve never taken his help for granted, but he’s very hands- on with me, and we speak nearly every day.
“I’m a bit disappointed to see him call it a day, but he had a nice send- off at the Scottish Open.
“It’s just a pity the fans weren’t there to see it.”
After a breakthrough season on Tour in 2019, when he won the Vic Open in Australia, things have been a bit tougher for Law this time.
He is outside the top 150 on the Race to Dubai list, and is yet to finish inside the top 30 in an event this year.
His frustration is palpable, as he doesn’t believe he has been playing badly.
But now the 29- year- old is taking a few weeks off to recharge the batteries and find some magic on the practice ground.
“My game has been nearly there, but not quite,” he reflected.
“However, those are the fine margins of elite- level sport, as the standard is so high.
“You know when you’re playing rubbish – but I’m not. I just seem to be missing that really low round that you need.
“At the Scottish Open, I played nicely the first day, but not so great on the second and missed the cut by two shots.
“Then last week at Wentworth, I shot 72- 73 and missed the weekend by a shot.
“If you make the cut, you can have a strong final two rounds and finish in the top10. Or you can miss it by one or two still playing decent golf.
“I feel like I’m playing better than my results suggest, and certainly think a good week is just around the corner.
“I’ve played quite a bit since lockdown.
“Now I want a month off to get my game in shape for the end of this season, and hopefully to attack the start of 2021.”