He may have his name chiselled onto golf’s most famous clump of silverware but it seems the words ‘Paul Lawrie’ plastered on a sign along the A198 in East Lothian can stir the senses almost as much as an occasional keek at the Claret Jug.

“It’s a mix of pride and the surreal when you see road signs with your name on it,” said the 1999 Open champion who is the tournament host at this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Matchplay Championship at Archerfield Links near Gullane. “I always looked up to Arnold Palmer and he’s had his own event on the Tour for years so it was always a dream at the back of my mind to have my own one.”

Now in its second year on the European Tour, the 64-man knock-out event, which will provide a refreshing change from the staple diet of 72-hole strokeplay competitions, has attracted a tasty field. Tomorrow’s first round draw has also thrown up a couple of intriguing ties, with the dish of the day being a duel between Matt Fitzpatrick, the 21-year-old who is on course to qualify for the Ryder Cup, and the wily, 45-year-old Dane Thomas Bjorn, who is one of Europe’s vice-captains for September’s tussle with the US at Hazeltine. Lawrie, the 47-year-old Aberdonian who will join Bjorn in Darren Clarke’s backroom team, will also face something of a generation game when he squares up to the 24-year-old Danish prospect, Lucas Bjerregaard.

They may have a combined age of 92, but these two members of the golfing old guard are eager for a crack at the young pretenders in a head-to-head format which can be a great leveller.

“Thomas is going to see Matt up close … and try to do all he can to get past him,” said Lawrie. “It could be quite interesting, I think we might sell tickets just for that game. But obviously Thomas will be loving it. He’s nearly my age, not quite, but we all still feel we’re competitive so he’ll want to put up a good show against someone who is one of our best up and coming young stars. I’ve also got young Lucas, who has had a couple of really good seasons so it will be a good test for me.”

While the defending champion, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, is absent this week, Lawrie believes the line-up in his fledgling contest is even better than the field assembled for its maiden staging last year. “There are guys playing this year who didn’t last year so they’ve obviously heard good things about it,” he added.

Plagued by a niggling foot injury, Lawrie’s aches and pains now include a sair neck. “I pulled a muscle so I’ve not hit many balls for the last nine or 10 days,” he reported. “I’m hoping that I’ll be alright, but I’m not 100 percent.”

As tournament host, Lawrie is allowed to get his excuses in early.