Double Qatar Masters winner Paul Lawrie was still very much on cloud nine in returning to the Earth Course in Dubai.
Two months after finishing runner-up on the Greg Norman designed Earth course layout, Lawrie proudly returned the hero and finding himself being congratulated at every turn in hosting a now annual corporate outing for sponsors Pentagon Freight.
The company timely had agreed to extend their sponsorship of the Scot a fortnight before last year’s Andalucian Open success.
Paul Lawrie becomes only the second player to win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for a second time. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
In winning for a second time in Doha Lawrie jumped 31 spots to 47th on the world rankings following his stroll to a four stroke victory in Doha.
It was not only his sixth Tour victory but his fourth top-10 in succession since last on the Earth Course in December when he bravely finished runner-up to Spain’s big-hitting Alvaro Quiros.
Victory not only was extra sweet in Doha to Lawrie but it should see the doors to all four Majors and all four WGCs this year thrown open to the Scot.
Lawrie hasn’t teed-up at Augusta National since 2004 and he hasn’t played in a U.S. Open since 2003 while he’s not contested the main three of the four WGCs in a season since 2002.
And after moving to fourth on the Ryder Cup points table Lawrie’s on target to climb aboard the European Team flight to Medinah in Chicago 13 years after being a member of Mark James hopelessly led Brookline side.
But with seven Tour victories now under his belt, Lawrie’s smart enough not to be looking too far ahead.
“I said before I went to Qatar last week that I needed to be the WGCs and Majors if I am to qualify for the Ryder Cup team,” said Lawrie.
“I can’t think of anyone in who knows how many of the last Ryder Cup teams who have made the side by not being in the bigger events.
“It’s just so important to give yourself every possible chance of making the side and the fact that I am giving myself a chance, and if I keep playing half-decent it may happen.
“But Medinah is a long way away and I’m focussing now is this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.”
And inspired by the memory of his late coach, Adam Hunter, Lawrie spoke to Hunter’s widow soon after Sunday’s victory presentation.
Lawrie had delivered the eulogy at Hunter’s funeral last October and he dedicated Sunday’s success to Hunter.
He recalled: “Whenever I went to visit Adam in hospital, which was quite frequently, I would come away wanting to go well for him, to do better for him.
“Adam was regularly texting me when he was lying in his hospital bed and his wife told me that even when he was at death’s door, he was still wanting to know my score and how many fairways I hit.
“So Adam is definitely was driving force going into this year.”
