Lawrie wants to be a key man for Europe

Ready to Ryd: Wilson Staff man Paul Lawrie will make his second Ryder Cup appearance this week

Scot sets himself the target of playing an important role at Medinah

Paul Lawrie has set himself a target of playing at least three times in this week’s Ryder Cup.

In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with bunkered the day before he jetted off for Medinah, the 43-year-old revealed how he hopes to play a key role for Europe in the match with the USA at Medinah this weekend. He also revealed:

     – Why his sons Craig and Michael won’t be making the trip to Chicago with their dad;

     – Why he is proud but disappointed to be the sole Scot in the side;

     – Which player he feels he could form a formidable partnership with;

     – How the European team plans to honour the late, great Seve Ballesteros;

     – Where he’d like to take the trophy if Europe manage to retain it.

Lawrie qualified for his second Ryder Cup team off the back of a stunning 18 months in which he has played, by his own admission, the best golf of his career.

Two wins this season, along with five other top ten finishes, vaulted him comfortably onto captain Jose Maria Olazabal’s side and, having earned his spot on the side, the Aberdonian is now determined to play a starring role this week.

“I’m up for playing as many of the five matches as they want or as few of the five matches as they want,” said Lawrie. “I don’t have an ego and I’m not someone who would expect to play all of the games. I would like to play a minimum of three, though. Ideally, you’d like to play one of the two each days and then the singles but if they don’t see me playing until the singles then I’ll go with that and I’ll be out there cheerleading and doing my bit to help. So, as many or as few as they see me doing, I’ll be happy.”

Relaxing on the Wilson Staff tour truck at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre just outside Aberdeen city centre, Lawrie was characteristically calm as he considered the prospect of making only his second Ryder Cup appearance – fully 13 years after his debut.