Paul Lawrie switches coach from Torrance back to Hunter

The former Open champion linked up with Torrance, Padraig Harrington's coach, during last year's Open at Turnberry but says the travelling from his Aberdeen home down to Largs hasn't been ideal.

Hunter, who is in hospital in Glasgow after being diagnosed with leukaemia, was Lawrie's coach when he lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999 and has been working with him on his short game.

"With every coach I have been with, and Bob was no different, there were a couple of things I liked and a couple of things I did not like," said Lawrie.

"I just felt working with Bob and only doing a couple of things that he wanted me to do and travelling six hours to see him in Largs was not in my best interests.

"We did not have a problem and it was not a sacking. I have decided that Adam Hunter will be doing some work with me again. It was another part of the reason for ending my time with Bob. I had a lot of success with Adam and, after having two or three different coaches, I now realise I want to get better and work it out with him, not anyone else.

"I have huge respect for Bob as a a coach. He has been doing it for a long time and has enjoyed a massive amount of success with his players. Padraig Harrington is one of Europe's best players and Bob has coached him for ten years. I was not questioning what he was doing."

Lawrie, who will be back in action on the European Tour in the Andalucia Open at the end of next month, added: "Adam, who is in hospital just now, will now be my sole long-game and short-game coach. He will oversee things and give me advice but, ultimately, it is down to me."