Get in top 50 to boost cup bid, Lawrie is urged

ON-FORM Paul Lawrie faces two crucial weeks in his bid to make a Ryder Cup return later this year, according to leading golf commentator Ewen Murray.

Having had three top 10s in a row on the European Tour, Lawrie is up to 78th in the world and is sixth on the European points list for the Ryder Cup.

The Aberdonian made his one and only appearance in the biennial event at Brookline in 1999, the year of his Open Championship win at Carnoustie, and is now aiming to bridge a 13-year gap by making the European team for the match at Medinah in September.

Assessing his fellow Scot’s chances, Murray said: “He is certainly good enough and Paul seems to have got a second wind after his win in Malaga last year before closing out the season with a stunning final round to secure second place in the Dubai World Championship.

“Another sound performance in Abu Dhabi last week confirmed his game is in good shape. His top 10 place took him into the top 80 of the world rankings. To have the best opportunity to make Jose Maria Olazabal’s side for Chicago, you really need to be inside the top 50, as that gets you into the World Golf Championships and some of the majors.

“That is a huge advantage to any player hoping to achieve that target. A win in Qatar [this week] or Dubai [next week] would just about do it, so the next two weeks are of extra importance to Paul.”

In his skysports.com blog, Murray added: “Paul is an all-round good player with no weaknesses and now into his 40s retains a strong nerve. More than that, his desire and the enjoyment he gets from playing is the same as when he came on to the Tour via his assistant professional post at Banchory.”

Lawrie, who won the Qatar Masters in 1999, spearheads a nine-strong Scottish challenge in Doha, being joined by Colin Montgomerie, Richie Ramsay, Scott Jamieson, Stephen Gallacher, Peter Whiteford, George Murray, David Drysdale and Marc Warren.

“The course is very good with much less rough than last year as, apparently, strong winds are forecast,” said Lawrie. “The greens are extremely firm so, if it’s windy, it will make it tough to get it close.”

World No 3 Lee Westwood heads a field that also includes Australian Jason Day, American Hunter Mahan and defending champion Thomas Bjorn.