Lawrie heading back to Augusta National

Lawrie joins Lyle and Laird in teeing up at the year’s first major

AUGUSTA BOUND: Former Open champ Paul Lawrie will be hoping to improve on his best finish of a tie for 15th at Augusta in two weeks time

This year’s Masters will have the best Scottish representation since 2004 following confirmation that Paul Lawrie has now booked his place in the field for the first major of 2012.

Former Open champion Lawrie managed to squeeze into the field by holding onto his spot inside the world’s top 50 after results went his way in the Hassan Trophy in Morocco and last night’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Lawrie was not playing in either event following illness and said on his website that he has been “taking it easy” the last few days in the hope that he can get fully fit as soon as possible.

Thew news will come as a huge boost to the Scotsman, who has enjoyed a superb return to form after sealing his first win in nine years last year at the Andalucian Open in Malaga then winning this season’s Qatar Masters. Lawrie has not featured in a major in the States since he played at Shinnecock Hills in 2004. He has played in five Masters, his best performance being a tie for 15th in 2003.

Joining the Scot at Augusta National will be former Masters champion Sandy Lyle and PGA Tour regular Martin Laird, who currently sits 34th in the world rankings. Laird made his debut at Augusta last year and finished in a more than respectable tie for 20th when he was paired with Tiger Woods on the Sunday.

Lawrie, meanwhile, has announced that he has been put forward to receive the ‘Freedom of the City’ in Aberdeen, which he described as “incredible and a fantastic honour to be considered for such a huge award”.

Follow the Masters build-up right here as we bring you the latest news and exclusive interviews found only at bunkered.co.uk in the run-up to the year’s first major.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered