Lawrie junior a chip off the old block

Craig Lawrie, 18-year-old son of the 1999 Open champion, will make his debut as a professional golfer in Wednesday's North-east Alliance 18-hole competition at Ellon, near Aberdeen.

A +1 handicap amateur member of Deeside Golf Club, Paul Lawrie's son announced his decision to turn pro at a Press Conference, attended by most of the leading Scottish golf writers, at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre near Aberdeen.
A former Robert Gordon's College pupil, he will be backed by three main sponsors – Aberdeen Asset Management, Hunting Energy (both of whom are also long-term supporters of Paul) and M I Swaco, part of the Schlumberger group.  

Craig (pictured above with his father) will be attached to the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre and represent the facility where he practises daily.  He will play Titleist equipment and golf balls whilst wearing Oakley apparel.

Lawrie junior will play a variety of pro circuits in 2014 - including the PGA Europro, EPD (German PGA Tour) and  Alps Tours.

He will be managed by 4SPORTS, the same agency that represents his father.

“I’m excited to test my game at a new level of competition.  I feel like I’ve really improved in the last 6 to 12 months and the experience I’ve gained playing with dad in practice rounds as well as at his Invitational event in September and alongside Peter Baker in the British Par-3 championship will all help when I tee up in my new career," said Craig

"I know how difficult it will be and how high the standard is at the top level but I am prepared to work hard and see what comes.”

Paul commented: “It will be really interesting to see how Craig gets on.  I’ve always encouraged both of our boys to play the game but never pushed them in one direction or another.  Craig is certainly a better golfer at this stage than I was at 18.

"It’s well known that I turned pro playing off 5, so, looking at it purely on these terms, he’s much better than I was when I made the transition.  There’s a huge leap from amateur golf to making a living from the game.”