Paul Lawrie never admits to setting himself goals but after the thrill of being a part of a winning Ryder Cup team he tees-up this week in the BMW Masters in Shanghai staring at breaking through the £2m barrier in season earnings for a first time in his career.
A third Tour success this year in the Chinese financial capital was see Lawrie presented with a £721,379 first prize cheque to take his yearly winnings to some £2.09m and some £1/2m more than a prior best earning year in 2002.
As well, victory on the Malaren Golf Club course would put Lawrie into a prime position to challenge World No. 1 and current European money-leading, Rory McIlroy for the Race to Dubai title.
A third victory this year would see Scotland’s Paul Lawrie break through the £2m earnings barrier for a first season ever. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
However Lawrie let talk of any such likelihood go through to the keeper, and with the Aberdonian focussed more in shaking off jet-lag from the flight to China and simply intent on doing as well as he can this week.
“I’ve had a couple of weeks off since playing so poorly at the Dunhill Links so it’s more back to normality this week particular after the Ryder Cup and playing your own golf again,” he said.
“I purposely didn’t do that much last week and keep my diary pretty free but I’m now looking forward to the end of the year despite still a little bit of jet-lag.
“This is an important stretch for me but then I’m not a big goal-setter and while I may be eighth on the Race to Dubai, my idea is just to play as well as I can this week and make as much as I can, and move on.”
Lawrie is remaining in China for next week’s WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shenzhen ahead of the season-ending event in Dubai and a first appearance in 13 years at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.
Lawrie will wind up his 21st year on Tour representing Europe, under Jose Maria Olazabal’s leadership, in the 14thto 16th December Royal Trophy in Brunei.
The Europe versus Asia Royal Trophy remains a goal of fellow Aberdonian Richie Ramsay who is back on the European Tour after the disappointment last Sunday of losing out in a play-off for the Asian Tour’s India Open in Bangalore.
“Last week was a great warm-up for these next three events I’m playing on the European Tour,” he said.
“I’ve then got the week of Hong Kong off before Dubai, and then hoping to still qualify for the Royal Trophy in Brunei that would be a great way to end my year.”
And Ramsay revealed he will then spend a fortnight ahead of Christmas with his new wife on a delayed honeymoon in Capetown.
