Paul Lawrie has been tipped by an old rival to win a place in next year’s European Ryder Cup team, more than a decade after he last appeared in the event.
Lawrie made his only appearance in the famous team event at Brookline back in 1999. However, Jean van de Velde is convinced he can clinch a place in Jose Maria Olazabal’s side, who are 1/1 with bookmaker to win the tournament in 2012.
The Scot has enjoyed a fine year, winning the Andalucia Open and finishing runner-up to Alvaro Quiros at the Dubai World Championship, lifting him to 83rd in the world rankings.
“Paul is an amazing player, a multiple winner, a major winner and a Ryder Cup player,” Van de Velde told the Scotsman.
“The only thing that would stop him is if he were to lose a bit of motivation or you put the interests in your life – family, business, charity – before golf.
“Age takes its toll and he’s like everyone else, he wakes up sometimes a little sore and you have to select the tournaments you play. But he has been on Tour for 20 years and he knows the courses, knows where he should be going and not be going.”
