Ireland’s Peter Lawrie earned a highest prize cheque since the 2013 Irish Open and an event he singled out as the start of a downturn in his game.
Lawrie’s share of 16th place in the Maybank Malaysian Open presented the Dubliner with a prize purse of Euro 34,898.
It was Euro 98 more than his 10th place two years ago at Carton House.
Lawrie capped a run of three ‘all invitation’ tournaments with a final round 70 with the highlight of his round being a third hole eagle on the Kuala Lumpur Country Club course.
Ireland’s Peter Lawrie earns his best prize cheque in 20 months since the start of a downturn in his game at the 2013 Irish Open. (Photo – Thos Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
It left the Dubliner trailing 10 shots behind Indian Aniban Lahiri who captured a maiden European title by one stroke with a final round 68, and a day after a blistering 62, to deny Austrian Bernd Wiesberger who shot a 75 for second place on 15-under par.
Lawrie has now bank Euro 51,860 over the past three weeks to be lying 73rd on the Race to Dubai.
Unfortunately Lawrie was returning home after falling five shots shy of finishing top-five that would have earned him a start in this week’s inaugural co-sanctioned Thailand Classic at Black Mountain.
“It’s been three good weeks and finally after about 20 months in the doldrums there is some light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
“It would have been nice now to be heading on to Thailand but never mind as I am heading back home with a lot of positives.
“I’ve played well over the three weeks playing 12 rounds while there was that great 66 at Yas Links, so the work I’m doing with Jamie (Gough – coach) is working well.
“And for a first time in a long time I can head back home to the family relatively pleased with myself but then the only problem now is where I am playing next.
“I’ll probably get into a few events but for the time being it means sending out letters requesting an invitation.”
In contrast, Graeme McDowell was returning to the States ahead of his 2015 PGA Tour season having shared 36th place at two under par.
McDowell got off to a flyer in Malaysia with a 66 but then stalled with scores of 73, 72 and 75.
Fellow Ulsterman Michael Hoey also struggled posting a last day 77 to be tied 52nd while Paul McGinley tailed out the field with scores of 69, 76 and a pair of 77s on the weekend for an 11-over par total in his first event of the New Year.
