Scot’s main target is to keep his place in world’s top 50

GOLF’S world rankings can be a puzzling affair. Just ask Paul Lawrie, who went up three places a fortnight ago when he didn’t play, yet dropped one spot on Sunday despite recording a top-25 finish in the opening major of the year.

“It seems strange, but it takes a smarter person than me to work it out,” admitted Lawrie of finding himself down to 44th after The Masters. “I think Ian Poulter is an expert and he knows when it is best to play and when to take time off.”

Lawrie’s main goal is to stay inside the top 50. “If you are in the top 50, you get into everything. If you are 51st, you are nowhere,” he added.

The Aberdonian resumes plays in next week’s Volvo China Open, then the Spanish Open and the Volvo Match Play before heading to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship.

“I think I’m a lot better player than I have ever been. I just need to keep it going and keep trying to win tournaments.”

Lawrie’s in an automatic spot for the Ryder Cup, but has slipped from third to fifth in recent weeks.

“That can change very quickly,” he observed. “Just look at what happened after Doral [in the Cadillac Championship]. Peter Hanson finished third and Justin Rose won and I went from second to hanging on to fifth. But it can go the other way as well if I have a good week.”