Scotland’s Paul Lawrie finished four shots clear of Brett Rumford from Australia to win the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and boost his confidence ahead of the Ryder Cup.
Lawrie took a one-stroke lead over France’s Romain Wattel into the final round at Gleneagles and he never really looked threatened as he cruised round in 68, finding 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
“It was probably one of the best ball striking weeks in my career,” he said. “I’ve hit the ball a bit longer this week. I’ve been working on rhythm and when you hit it a bit longer, it helps a bit. It’s been a fantastic week.”
Lawrie had already secured a spot in Jose Maria Olazabal’s Ryder Cup team, but this victory will do a great deal to boost the Scotsman’s confidence. He will also move to his highest ever placing on the Official World Golf Ranking.
Brett Rumford finished strongly to end the week in second place. He came into the tournament ranked 109th on the Race to Dubai, but a cheque for almost €200,000 this week has secured his card for 2013.
Wattel posted a final round of 72 to finish tied for third with a resurgent Maarten Lafeber and Fredrik Andersson Hed of Sweden, who charged through the field with a closing 65.
Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium needed to finish first or second to overtake Martin Kaymer and secure the final automatic qualifying place for the European Ryder Cup team. He couldn’t manage it and so Kaymer is the 10th man for Medinah.
Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles
The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire
Aug 23-26, purse €1,778,500, par 72
1 Paul Lawrie (Sco) 68 69 67 68 272 €296,119
2 Brett Rumford (Aus) 67 70 71 68 276 €197,408
T3 Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe) 73 69 70 65 277 €91,798
T3 Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 68 73 67 69 277 €91,798
T3 Romain Wattel (Fra) 74 68 63 72 277 €91,798
T6 Stephen Gallacher (Sco) 75 67 65 71 278 €49,926
T6 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 68 72 71 67 278 €49,926
T6 Colin Montgomerie (Sco) 72 68 69 69 278 €49,926
T6 Richie Ramsay (Sco) 69 71 70 68 278 €49,926
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage
Where next?
PGA Tour – Nick Watney wins The Barclays