Lawrie rues missed putts

PAUL Lawrie had mixed emotions after finishing in a tie for eighth in Abu Dhabi, where he closed with a 72 to finish on 279 – four shots behind winner Robert Rock, writes Martin Dempster.

“I played really well again and missed so many putts it was frightening,” said the Aberdonian, who picked up a cheque for around £37,500 to sit 16th in this season’s Race to Dubai.

Two off the lead at the start of the day, Lawrie was hanging on to Rock’s coat-tails until he dropped back-to-back shots at the 16th and 17th. “I should have been better than eighth but that’s golf,” he said. “I was extremely disappointed when I came off as I should have done better but it’s another top ten [his third in a row] and still a good week. I managed to knock a few drives past [playing partner] Rory [McIlroy], which made an old man feel a bit younger.”

Stephen Gallacher signed off with a 71 to finish alongside David Drysdale (72) in a tie for 35th on 285, one better than Peter Whiteford, who also closed with a 72. Richie Ramsay was just inside the top 50 after a 70 for 287.