Lawrie: 3-under no better than decent

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July 15, 2010

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie was satisfied but not entirely happy with his first round at the 139th Open.

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie was satisfied but not entirely happy with his three-under-par 69 in the first round of the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews on Thursday.
The Scot, winner at Carnoustie in 1999, was first man off at 6.30am and his group – with Thomas Levet and Steve Marino – played the 18 holes in four hours 25 minutes but, with no wind and only intermittent light rain, scoring was far better than had been expected.
So although the 41-year-old could not be disappointed with his score after such an early start, having arrived at the course at 4.45am, he knew it could have been better.
“It was flat calm the first seven or eight holes and you are not going to get it any easier around here,” he said.
“When there is no wind this is not the hardest course in the world to get it round.
“You know scoring is going to be good but you can’t put extra pressure on yourself.
“Three under is a decent start but it’s not cock-a-hoop time.
“It would be nice to kick on from that and if that is your worst score of the week then you’re in with a chance of winning.”
Lawrie said he had no issues with being asked to tee off so early despite being a former winner of the Claret Jug.
“The R&A gave you your draw and you play the time they give you – that is up to them,” he added.
“I don’t have a problem with it, you just get on the tee and hit it.
“There was a few people on the first tee, more than I was expecting, but this is the biggest event in the world so whether there are people there or not it doesn’t matter.”

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