Lawrie wants budding stars to follow lead of McArthur

WHILE delighted to have Andrew Coltart – his team-mate in the 1999 Ryder Cup – in the field, the tournament host is more concerned about what some younger professionals and a crop of amateurs can gain from the Paul Lawrie Invitational starting today at Deeside.

Paul Lawrie wants budding stars to follow in Andrew McArthur's footsteps. Picture: Getty

Two years after winning the inaugural event at the same venue, Andrew McArthur heads into this week’s Kazakhstan Open, widely recognised as the Challenge Tour major, chasing a step up to the European Tour.

His play-off win over Kenny Ferrie was a boost McArthur, a former Scottish Amateur champion, needed at the time and now Lawrie is hoping this week’s 54-hole event can do the same for others.

“I’m chuffed with the field,” said the 1999 Open champion of a line-up headed by defending champion Greg McBain and including Paul O’Hara, David Law, James Byrne, Paul Shields and Jordan Findlay. “I think it is a little better than last year, but that’s not really the point. With this tournament, I wanted to give the Tartan Tour boys and young lads the chance and experience of playing 54 holes.”

In addition to Coltart, who has come out of retirement toto plain the event, the invitees also include Lawrie’s elder son, Craig, and his caddie, Dave Kenny.

The former, now down to plus one, is among a group of amateurs that includes British Boys’ champion Ewen Ferguson as well as two other rising stars, Bradley Neil and Conor Syme.

“It’s great to have Andrew Coltart in the field,” admitted the host. “It’s quite brave of him as he hasn’t played in a tournament for two or three years, but I think he’s been practising hard.”

Lawrie, who will have McBain and O’Hara, the newly-crowned Scottish Young Professionals champion, for company in the first two rounds, played in this event last year, the week before heading off to help Europe win the Ryder Cup at Medinah.

His hopes of retaining a spot on the team at Gleneagles in a year’s time will, according to Lawrie, hinge on whether or not he can climb back into the world’s elite early next season.

“I’m not thinking about anything else other than playing at Gleneagles,” he replied to being asked about the possibility of being one of Paul McGinley’s vice captains. “But I need to get back into the top 50 in the world rankings.

“Unless you’re in the top 50, you’ve no chance of qualifying for the team unless you win three or four tournaments. But I know I can make it. I just need a break and get my putting back.”

Referring to the European Masters a fortnight ago, he added: “Tee to green in Switzerland was as a good as I can play and finished 12th. That’s the season it’s been. I’ve played far better than last year, but the putting has been frustrating.”