Paul Lawrie keen to be part of Ryder Cup group in any way

A member of the winning side at Medinah in 2012, the Aberdonian admits it is going to take a “hell of an achievement” to secure a playing role in Minnesota in September. “I would need to win two to three big, big events,” he said in Abu Dhabi yesterday. More realistic is the possibility of him securing a role as one of the 2011 Open champion’s five potential vice captains. “I would love to help him if he wants me to,” added Lawrie, right. “I am not saying he has or he will, but you would not say ‘no’ to that.

“I don’t think anyone is going to be making decisions for him. He’s the captain who has to say ‘yay’ or ‘nay’. But I think he needs people who have been there before and if not for anything else, just someone to speak to.

“Darren and I have always got on and we came on to the Tour about the same time in 1991 and 1992. Whenever we play, we always have a good time, so we’ll see.”

Clarke displayed an intention to be his own man by going to European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley to get permission for his players to wear shorts in practice for last week’s EurAsia Cup win in Malaysia. He was wearing a pair himself in practice yesterday – Lee Westwood and Ernie Els, too – ahead of a motion being put to the tournament committee last night for the trouser rule to be relaxed for practice rounds.

“He does look like he’s going to make a great captain,” added Lawrie. “It’s amazing how many people you speak to think differently, but, if you take away the big cigars and the Guinness, he’s actually a very clever boy.”