Local hero Lawrie takes route 66 to the top of Staysure PGA Seniors Championship leaderboard

01/08/2024

Less is more for Paul Lawrie these days. It’s an approach that seems to be working too.

In his own backyard of Aberdeen, the 1999 Open champion and proud PGA member surged to the top of the leaderboard during round two of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie.

The 55-year-old, who is playing in just his fifth Legends Tour event of the season, posted a neatly assembled six-under 66 which equalled the tournament course record at the Trump International Golf Links.

That noble effort hoisted Lawrie on to an eight-under aggregate as he set a robust halfway pace and eventually finished two shots ahead of fellow PGA member Robert Coles.

He may not play much competitive golf these days, but Lawrie still puts in the hard yards and his dedicated practice regime sees him visit the Trump Links on a near daily basis.

His local knowledge certainly paid off on day two of this over-50s showpiece as the former Ryder Cup player reeled off seven birdies during a round of poise, polish and purpose.

A delightfully flighted wedge into just a couple of feet on his final hole saw him finish with a flourish.

“I haven’t played an awful lot of golf but when I have played, I have been alright,” said Lawrie, who served his PGA apprenticeship under Doug Smart at Banchory as a teenager before going on to become a major champion during a glory-laden career.

“I’ll play nine-holes here most days so when I do get to play competitively, I’m not rusty. I always feel good to go.

“I actually enjoy playing more now as I’m only playing six to eight events a year.

“When you are doing it week in and week out, it’s hard. Listen, it’s a great job to have and I loved it for a long time. But I enjoy my life more now.”

Coles, who was teeing off just as Lawrie was finishing, faced some of the tougher conditions of the day but the Englishman harnessed them to fine effect and a second consecutive 69 left him handily placed on six-under heading into the weekend.

“I’m very pleased,” said the former PGA Cup player, who joined the pro ranks 30 years ago. “It got a little bit scrappy at the end which was a shame but at any links course, you always expect it to be worse in the afternoon.

“I thought if I could break par in the afternoon I wouldn’t be too far away. To shoot three-under was great.”

Having won the Senior PGA Professional Championship back in May, Coles now has his sights set on a notable double among the golden oldies.

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it?,” he added with a smile.

PGA man Simon Khan, who was part of a four-way tie for the lead after round one, posted a one-over 73 to sit in a share of third with Gary Orr on three-under.

Scott Henderson, who was also in that leading quartet overnight, dropped off the pace while tournament host Montgomerie had a 73 for a level-par aggregate.

Click here for all the scores from Trump International Golf Links