Peter Lawrie felt an opening round of 74 at the OFX Irish Legends didn’t reflect his performance on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House and he hopes a low score comes as he grows into the tournament.
Lawrie, with his son as caddie, enjoyed a solid first fifteen holes, as birdies on the sixth, eighth and fifteenth cancelled out bogeys on the 4th, 7th and 10th. But his hard work was undone by a double bogey from the blue on the downwind par-4 16th and birdie chances on 17 and 18 went begging as he settled for two-over and a share of 40th place.
“It was nice to be back playing I haven’t played very much at all. I have been struggling with eyes and whatever else but it was nice to be back out and with my son on the bag, that part of it was good,” said the 2008 Spanish Open winner.
“My score, did it reflect how I played? Probably not. I could have been a couple better but sure look that’s golf when you don’t play a lot of golf it’s quite difficult. It’s nice to be here, weather is lovely, we had a good group and it was just nice to be out.”
Lawrie is making just his second appearance on the Legends Tour this season as he deals with other ventures in the golf industry but he was pleasantly surprised with how well he hit the ball despite his fears over being shown up by his lack of competitive edge.
“I was worried I would struggle. I got it around and it’s great to have the career that I have had. It’s in the background there somewhere so it’s just about pulling off the shots when needed. Short game was decent, chipped it quite well so all in all, I possible would have settled for one-under it would have been a nice score. Had a few good chances but missed them. That’s what happens when you don’t play a lot of golf.”
The former European Tour rookie of the year (2003) didn’t carry a driver in round one but found a happy marriage with a very strong 3-wood which he was able to shape left and right as he weaved the ball around the treacherous fairway bunkers.
“I had a strong 3-wood! I have to really thank Sean in McGuirks he looked after me there. I just had the heebie jeebies with the driver so that’s why. I thought to myself Peter don’t come out here with driver and hit it all over the shop you could be looking for balls all day. At least with the wood I can see the shot and shape it. Throughout all of my career I struggled with my driver and on a golf course where you need to shape it this is what I needed.”
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