Sandy Lyle's Masters win made me work harder says Paul Lawrie

Sandy Lyle was a role model for fellow Scot Paul Lawrie.

Like many of his compatriots, Lawrie was glued to a television 30 years ago as Lyle produced one of the most memorable shots in not only that event but any other – a 7-iron from a fairway bunker – to set up the closing birdie that saw him become the first British player to claim a Green Jacket.

“What I can remember is sitting on the edge of my bed knowing that I had him at 8-1 with 20 quid on him!” recalled Lawrie, who was just 19 at the time, with a huge smile across his face.

“I wanted to be a professional on the back of Sandy winning The Open at St George’s in 1985. I turned pro the April afterwards after watching that and wanting to become a professional golfer.

“I was assistant pro at Banchory when he won The Masters and, again, it made me go out there and work extra hard to make sure that I got myself on Tour and give myself an opportunity.”

Lawrie, of course, joined Lyle as a major winner when claiming the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999 and his compatriot has made an everlasting impression.

“Watching Sandy was the start of my career because I could see someone doing really well on a worldwide stage and then getting to meet him was great as he is a such a nice guy.

“He was my role model, both as a golfer and as a person,” said the two-time Ryder Cup player.

“I always got on well with him and Sandy and Sir Alex Ferguson are always the two guys I have looked up to. Sir Alex did a great job at Aberdeen and I got to meet him later in his career. Golf-wise, though, it was Sandy who gave me the reason to set out on my career.”