Hilversum has become a home away from home for young Scot

Thursday 8 September 2011

David Law is more than happy to be away from his Aberdeen home this week so that he can concentrate on continuing his remarkable form at the KLM Open, while the Walker Cup is staged at his home course.

Custom byline text:

Bernie McGuire

The 20-year-old has his fellow Aberdonian and former Open champion, Paul Lawrie, to thank for an invitation to this week’s Race to Dubai event in Hilversum.

Law arrived in the Dutch town still smarting over his omission from the Walker Cup squad, despite having made a mockery of it on Friday by becoming the first amateur to win the Northern Open in 40 years. Law then added to that impression by setting up his two-shot success at Meldrum House with a third-round 62.

The Scot, who has been wearing attire emblazoned with the Paul Lawrie Foundation logo, is thrilled by the challenge of finishing as the leading amateur in the Netherlands’ premier pro event.“Paul had tried to get me an invitation for the Johnnie Walker Championship but that didn’t work out, but then I got a call last Tuesday to say that I’d been offered a KLM Open invitation,” said Law. “I’m still a bit disappointed I’m not playing the Walker Cup in Aberdeen, in the city where I live and at a club where I’m a member.“It was a bitter pill to swallow but they’ve picked a team they thought was the best to beat the United States, and all I can do is look to the next part of my career. I’m really pleased as coming here and getting an invitation to tee up in a European Tour event has really lifted my spirits. I’m really glad to get out of Aberdeen for this week. I’ve come here playing well but this week will be about feeling comfortable. I’ve bumped into a few of the Scottish guys, Paul [Lawrie] and Richie [Ramsay].“Paul’s been great ever since I was about 15 years old, and he’s taken a lot of pressure financially off my mum and dad, so that I can go out and play golf. He’s been so giving of his time, and between him and his wife, Marion, they’ve been great.”It is Law’s second visit to the Netherlands -- he contested the European Boys’ Championships there in 2008 -- and only his second European Tour event. Previously, he was invited to the 2008 Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.“When I played Loch Lomond I was only 18 and I was pinching myself a bit; I was a bit naive and was just there for the experience,” he said. “I am going to treat this week like any other tournament I’ve played this year. I’ve got no point to prove but I will be keeping one eye on what the boys are doing at Royal Aberdeen and wishing them well.”Law is among six amateurs as well as a 13-strong Scottish contingent headed by Lawrie and Scott Jamieson, the Vivendi Seve Trophy rookie, competing at the tournament. Jamieson met Paul McGinley, the Great Britain and Ireland captain for the Vivendi, for the first time yesterday. The pair were spotted having a lengthy chat on the Hilversum range ahead of yet another downpour.Among those to congratulate Jamieson on his call-up was Rory McIlroy, the US Open champion. “Rory and I go back a long way to amateur competition but it was great of him to come over,” said Jamieson.McIlroy made himself unavailable for selection citing a run of eight weeks in a row on the road starting with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship later this month in Scotland.The Northern Irishman, alongside world No.2 Lee Westwood and the defending champion Martin Kaymer, who is ranked No.3 in the world rankings, heads this week’s Dutch field.

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Hilversum has become a home away from home for young Scot

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED