Paul Lawrie described it as “a great honour” to be asked by European captain Darren Clarke to be a vice-captain for the first time in this September’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.
The 1999 Open champion, twice a European team member at Brookline 1999 and as part of the “Miracle at Medinah” team of 2012, was one of three vice-captains revealed by Clarke at Wentworth.
Two more vice-captains will be appointed after the Open Championship in July to bring the number up to five, the same number used by Paul McGinley at Gleneagles two years ago.
It’s an especially welcome appointment for the Aberdonian who was close to being part of the backroom team under McGinley at Gleneagles but in the end lost out to the Irishman’s close friend Padraig Harrington.
The three-time major champion from Ireland is another of Clarke’s initial choices, along with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who has been a vice-captain on three previous occasions.
The choice of Lawrie comes down his friendship with Clarke and his experience of playing in front of hostile and partisan crowds in both his Ryder Cup appearances; invaluable as Europe expect the same sort of reception in Minneapolis as the US seek to regain the cup for the first time since 2008.
Clarke said yesterday that the trio “didn’t have to be persuaded” when he asked them to join his team.
“They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge and their input will be invaluable to Europe’s cause,” he said. “I could not have asked for anybody better to be standing shoulder to shoulder with me in the bid to bring the Ryder Cup home.
“I have known and been close to Thomas for many years and I know just how passionate he is about team golf’s greatest competition. He has had a major influence already both on and off the course at previous Ryder Cups and I know that will continue at Hazeltine.
“Padraig’s outstanding career has included three major championship successes and his presence in the team room will bring a big confidence factor to Europe’s 12 representatives.
“Paul is a highly respected major championship winner and knows exactly what it will take to reach our intended destination. His calm, considered approach and strength of character will be of immense value.”
Lawrie said he was “really looking forward to getting going”.
“I’m excited and honoured,” he said. “It’s the first time for me in the backroom team but I’ve known Darren a long time, we came out together on tour at roughly the same time and we get on really well.
“We’re all good friends up here and that will help us, no doubt.”
Bjorn joked that after three previous times as a vice-captain – 2004, 2010 and 2012 – this was one of the first time the captain had been “one of my best friends”.
“It means I can tell him the truth, which I’m quite looking forward to,” he said.
“But our only purpose as vice-captains is to support Darren and most of all to do everything we can to ensure that the 12 players in the team play to the utmost of their ability.”
Lawrie also has the distinction of still being the player with the longest spell between appearances. He was first capped for Europe in 1999 after he won his the pen at Carnoustie, narrowly missing out on selection two years later for the Belfry under Sam Torrance.
But it wasn’t until 2012 – after a hugely consistent 12 months which included wins in Qatar and at home at Gleneagles –he got back in the European team.
In Jose Maria Olazabal’s team at Medinah, Lawrie’s 5 and 4 singles win over Brandt Snedeker was one of the key elements of the amazing “miracle” Sunday comeback from a four-point deficit.
