Ireland’s Peter Lawrie and Italy’s Francesco Molinari have put their names forward to become members of the Tournament Players Committee.

Lawrie and Molinari will join two others, in England’s Richard Finch and Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano who are seeking re-election.

A vacancy on the Committee has become available after England’s Barry Lane withdrew but then it will four players vying for the three spots.

Ireland’s Peter Lawrie nominated for selection on the Tournament Players Committee. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Lawrie first played full time on the Tour in 2003 and while interested in the workings of appointing new Ryder Cup captains he believes his appointment to the committee could help benefit the interests of all members.

“I’ve been on the Tour 10 years now and I felt it’s time that I found out more about the workings behind the scenes of the tour,” he said.

“I guess also it’s more nosiness than anything else.

“If I’m successful in getting elected I have no particular agenda though I would be very interested to see how the selection of new Ryder Cup captains is determined.

“And if I am elected it is certainly going to be very interesting sitting in on the meeting next January in Abu Dhabi when the Committee meets to appoint a successor to Jose Maria (Olazabal).

“No one has prompted me to stand but then I have been thinking about it the last couple of years and with Barry Lane resigning along with Finchy (Richard Finch) and Gonzo (Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano) up for re-election, I felt the time was ripe.”

Molinari stands a strong chance of being appointed given he’s a double winning Ryder Cup star and with eight years experience competing on the Tour.

“I have put my name forward for the Committee as I would like to give something back to the Tour,” said  Molinari.

“I will be trying to help keep the Tour as strong as it is and it’s a good committee.

“But then I know if I do get elected the first meeting of the Committee next year is going to be very interesting because I know they will be discussing whether to appoint Paul McGinley or Darren Clarke as the next European Team captain.

“So if I am successful it is going to be a real baptism of fire.”