Paul Lawrie refuses to allow himself the luxury of knowing he will automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup until the final putt drops later this month at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Lawrie’s currently lying fourth overall and a certainly in the eyes of many observers to end a 13-year wait in returning to the European Team.
The Aberdonian is contesting the three final European qualifying events starting with this week’s $US 8.5m WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Lawrie qualified for the elite 78-player and no-cut tournament courtesy of his Qatar Masters success earlier this year.
It’s the first occasion in a decade Lawrie has contested the event while next week he returns to the PGA Championship, and not having teed-up in the year’s final Major also since 2002.
Paul Lawrie takes a break while practicing to speak about his Ryder Cup situation. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Lawrie will then contest the August 23rd commencing Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the final qualifying event before Jose Maria Olazabal names his two ‘wildcard’ picks on Monday August 27th.
“No, no I’ve never ever thought my place is sewn-up,” he said.
“You just can’t afford to think that way and it’s dangerous to go down that road.
“It’s not just about the Ryder Cup. If I get into the Ryder Cup it’s all about playing well every week and keeping your head down.
“There has been a history of too many people thinking they had qualified for the team and then gone on a bad run and switched off.
“It’s just amazing how you can switch off and then when that happens things start going wrong.
“So if I do manage to qualify it’s a bonus, and my job now is to continue to play as hard as I can and if get in, then I’m in, and if don’t, then I’m not in.
“I’m not a good enough player that you expect to qualify automatically for the team.
“So even if I do play well these two weeks in the States, I want to go to the Johnnie Walker with a chance to win.
“I have no real hang-ups about Ryder Cup, at all. I would love to play. It will be special to play in the Ryder Cup.
“It’s been my biggest goal all season but I’m not in yet.”
Lawrie is returning to competition having not hit a golf ball since a final round 72 for a share of 34th place in last month’s Open Championship.
“I arrived here Monday feeling a wee bit rusty but now after three days of practice I’m raring to go,” said the Scot.
“Looking back on The Open I felt it was a shame as I was playing really, really good tee-to-green but then putted as poorly as I can remember.
“Saturday was really bad and Sunday wasn’t that good at all what with taking 39 or 40 putts on Saturday and only shooting six over.
“So it was a pity but then you get that every now and then.
“But then this week is the start of a big push right up to and including Gleneagles.
“I’ve not played here in Akron for a long time so it’s nice to be back here. I’ve also not played the PGA Championship for a long time.”
The Tuesday following The Open, he and his wife, Marion along with close friends, walked the 79-mile Great Glen Way helping to raise money for his Paul Lawrie Foundation and also Leukaemia Research Beaston.
Lawrie’s former coach, Adam Hunter had been treated at Beatson before he passed away and he’s donating half of the funds raised to the Glasgow Institute.
Lawrie was hoping to raise £25,000 but to date, he’s already raised some £27,000.
“The walk was a great success but there were parts of it tougher than we were led to believe,” he said.
“But it was important to do it not only for my Foundation but for leukaemia research and Adam’s (Hunter) wife, Caroline will be presented with a cheque for half of what we raise.
“It was the third time Marion and I have undertaken a walk and this one it did take on added importance this time around.
“Adam wanted to do as much as he could in his last few weeks, and he spoke about trying to get involved.”
Joining Lawrie on the Firestone Country Club course and the longest Par-70 course on the Tour, is fellow Scot Martin Laird.
