Golf: Celtic sun shines on rain man Lawrie.
Byline: Richard CliffordWET-WEATHER king Paul Lawrie was crowned Wales Open champion at Celtic Manor - in the glorious sunshine.
After almost four days of mist, rain, lightning and more rain, the 33-year-old Scot walked up the 72nd hole with a five-shot lead and the sunlight glistening off the hospitality suites.
Beaten in a sudden-death playoff last year by Paul McGinley, the Aberdonian made sure that there was no need for such dramas this time round.
Lawrie had already done the damage with his course-record equalling 65 - seven-underpar - in a second round that started on Friday afternoon and finished on Saturday morning.
Forced by the horrendous conditions into playing 36 holes yesterday, Lawrie put together back-to-back rounds of 70 for a 72-hole aggregate of 272 - 16-under-par.
He began the final round five shots clear and finished it the same way with Midlander John Bickerton his nearest challenger.
Having won the 1999 Open Championship in foul weather at Carnoustie and last year's Dunhill Links at St Andrews in even worse conditions, Lawrie seems to have the knack.
But the quietly spoken Ryder Cup player does not believe that he has any special formula for the bad weather.
``I'd like to think that I can play just as well in glorious conditions,'' he quipped.
``In conditions like we had this week you just have to plod away and keep your head.
``I'm absolutely shattered after 36 holes in one day but delighted to have won the title.
``I played beautifully here for the two rounds last year but couldn't hole a putt.
``This time I probably didn't play quite as well but I holed a few putts, especially during that second round.
``I'm pretty confident in my own ability and when I get in positions to win I usually complete the job.
``Hopefully I can continue to play well in the USPGA next week but I won't be putting too much pressure on myself.
``I'm ranked 72 in the world but hopefully this win should lift me back towards the top 50.
``I feel I'm a better player than my ranking shows but you have to get the results.''
Lawrie's recent fitness work paid dividends as he was never challenged yesterday and there was no doubt that he was a worthy winner.
Bickerton claimed his best finish of the season with Finland's Miko Illonen, the 2000 Amateur Champion, taking third place on 10-under.
For Blackwood's Bradley Dredge, who started so well with a 66 on Thursday, it was a case of what might have been.
Dredge had rounds of 70 and 71 yesterday to finish on seven-under and tied for seventh - his sixth top10 finish of the year.
``I'm a little bit disappointed after making the start I did but I never really got going today,'' he said.
``But I'm getting closer to winning something and now I've got a couple of weeks off to work on a few things before my next event.''
Jamie Donaldson, who completed his third round yesterday morning in 66, added a 73 in the afternoon to share 14th place on six-underpar.
But more importantly it virtually secures the Welshman his card for next year as he picked up pounds 16,500. ``You can never be sure how much it's going to take but I think I'm just about there now and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.
``I seem to be getting better week by week.''
Of the other Welshmen Stephen Dodd finished one under, Sion Bebb level, Ian Woosnam one over, Phil Price five over and Mark Pilkington six over.
But the day belonged to Lawrie, who flew back home to Aberdeen last night and will leave for the USPGA later today.
``The Celtic Manor is a fabulous place and they have got a great tournament here,'' he added.
``It's a shame about the weather but they did a fantastic job to get all 72-holes in.
``When you consider the amount of rain we had here the course stood up superbly.
``To not be using preferred lies shows just how quickly the fairways here drain and the staff have done a pretty amazing job.
``Second last year and the winner this year - I absolutely love this place.''
CAPTION(S):
TRIUMPHANT Paul Lawrie gets his hands on the Wales Open trophy. PICTURES: Getty Images
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales) |
| Date: | Aug 12, 2002 |
| Words: | 720 |
| Previous Article: | Rugby League: Sharks outwit brave Demons; Cardiff Demons 26, West London Sharks 34. |
| Next Article: | Golf: Woosnam and Price not right for USPGA bid. |