Scotland’s top-ranked golfer Paul Lawrie has bowed to pressure and intends to wear tartan trousers during this week’s Masters.
Lawrie is making seventh Augusta National appearance and travelled from Inverness with wife, Marion and youngest son, Michael.
However it was some ribbing my youngest son Michael plus Ian Poulter ‘getting into his ear’ in China last year that will see Lawrie step out onto the hallowed Georgia golfing gem wearing tartan trousers.
“I played with Ian Poulter in China late last year and he said ‘I can’t believe you don’t wear tartan trousers, you’re Scottish and you’re their top player,” said Lawrie.
“He went on saying: ‘People would love it’.
Don’t expect Scotland’s Paul Lawrie to go as far as Ian Poulter in wearing tartan trousers at this year’s Masters.
“I’ve always thought Poulter looks really smart when he wears tartan.
“But then I brought some white trousers by the boy (Michael) doesn’t like them. He thinks I look like an idiot in white trousers. He thinks I’m an idiot anyway.”
The Scot, who’s best Masters finish was a share of 15th in 2003, will tee up at 4.40pm UK time in familiar company as he will be accompanying European Tour colleagues, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Bjorn also is no stranger to Augusta having contested the season’s traditional first Major nine time previously while ‘Gonzo’ made his debut last year and is coming off a superb third place finish in the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
Lawrie hasn’t competed since he was last in the States, sharing 58th place in the WGC – Cadillac Championship, and while Lawrie has been kept busy with other interests, it is one of the longest competition breaks he’s had for some time.
He arrived into Augusta last Sunday and while he’s played the quintessential practice rounds Lawrie has spent a considerable amount of time at the short-game area.
“I played the back nine on Monday and a full 18 on Tuesday, and I’m playing the front nine today before the Par Three Contest,” he said.
“I’ve done a fair bit of short game work and putting.”
Lawrie has also been chatting with renowned ‘mind man’ Bob Rotella who remarked the three week break Lawrie’s had since competing in Miami could be ideal as he looks to become the second Scot to win the Masters, and on the 25th anniversary of Sandy Lyle’s triumph.
“Speaking with Bob Rotella and he said it might be the best thing as I’ve never ever had three weeks when I’ve hardly hit a shot or swung a club,” said Lawrie.
“But in saying that I don’t feel rusty, and I felt sharp so here’s hoping it will be alright.
“Maybe there is a tendency to over prepare for major, I don’t know. I’m not going to stand here and say I feel great and I’m going to have a chance to win but I feel good.
“I only tend to see Bob when I come over to the US because trying to get him on the phone is a nightmare.
“So five or six times a year is enough for me. I don’t need somebody to hold my hand or speak to every week and it’s working out well.
“He tells you stories about other people. You know he’s talking about you but he keeps it quite loose. I like his approach. It’s not lie on the couch, deep stuff. We have a laugh and a joke, he tells a few stories and then off we go.
“Then before you know it, 30 minutes has gone by.”
