In this game of numbers, Paul Lawrie has reached another significant one. When he clatters away his tee-shot in the first round of the Joburg Open in South Africa tomorrow, the Aberdonian’s 25th year on the European Tour will be underway. Perhaps they could hang some bunting from the clubhouse, serve up some tray bakes and print off some commemorative dish cloots to mark this particular silver anniversary? There won’t be much pomp and circumstance, of course, but Lawrie’s longevity deserves to be celebrated. It’s not been a bad old career. An Open Championship win, two Ryder Cup appearances and earnings approaching the £10 million mark? This dandy Don, who turned professional as a 17-year-old with a handicap of five, has plenty to be proud of.
At 47, he’s seen it, done it and has probably acquired enough t-shirts to fill Pittodrie. The various aches, pains, hobbles and hirples that are part and parcel of a lifetime spent battering a wee dimpled ba’ may be more prevalent as he inches towards his half century but the pleasure he takes in his chosen pursuit keeps those cogs and pistons ticking over.
“I can honestly say that I still love doing what I do,” said Lawrie. “Not many people have a better job than me. I’m very proud to have been out here for 25 years. Consistency is very important and I feel I've achieved that in bundles. To have turned pro in 1986 as a five-handicapper and go on to win eight events and play in two Ryder Cups is extremely satisfying.”
The years have hurtled by and the hair may have a few more flecks of grey but the passion and the competitive fire still burns. He made his debut on the main circuit at the 1992 Johnnie Walker Asian Classic in Thailand. Here in 2015, he’ll be competing in his 571st European Tour event this week.
“It’s hard to think it’s 25 years since Marian (his wife) and I set off on the tour and it’s amazing to think I’m still going,” added Lawrie of those early ventures into uncharted territory. “We hadn't travelled much so the first few weeks on tour were a complete eye opener for both of us. I just took one week at a time, tried to do my best at each event and see where I ended up. The weeks where I've struggled down the years are the weeks where I've looked too far ahead. I play my best golf when I just plod away.”
He’s done a bit more than just plod away. A breakthrough triumph in the 1996 Catalan Open got him up and running before he upped the ante considerably with that memorable, mind-mangling conquest at Carnoustie in the 1999 Open. “Getting that first win under my belt gave me that added confidence as you know then that you can do it,” said Lawrie of that maiden victory that would eventually lead to a major moment.
As part of a sizeable tartan army on the European Tour, Lawrie’s early steps on the circuit were aided by the pearls of wisdom of a few well-kent Scots. His cherished friend Adam Hunter, who would later become his coach and would sadly lose his battle with leukaemia in 2011, was among that band of golfing brothers. “In those early years, I spent a lot of time with Adam as well as the likes of Stephen McAllister and Ross Drummond,” recalled Lawrie. “They all really helped me learn the ropes. I would also spend a lot of time watching Seve chip and putt when he played in Europe. I gained so much from watching him and Jose Maria Olazabal.”
Due to a variety of ailments, Lawrie’s schedule in recent seasons has been limited to 16 events in each of the past two campaigns but the new year always brings new opportunities. “You get days when you feel like you'll win tournaments and others when you struggle to get out of bed and think your career is over,” he said. “The main aim (for 2016) is just to get back playing regularly again and staying healthy. I don't feel done yet.”
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