LONDON -- Paul Lawrie's surprising victory in the British
Open suddenly turned the anonymous Scotsman into one of the most
high-profile athletes in Britain, where champions have become few
and far between in recent times.
He made the European Ryder Cup team and jumped 111 places in the
world rankings with his Open victory over the tough Carnoustie
course.
And along the way he became the first qualifier to win the Open
since exemptions were introduced and the first Scot to win in
Scotland since 1910.
The morning after winning a four-hole, three-way playoff, the
30-year-old Lawrie -- who had won only twice in a pro career
stretching back to 1986 -- was the toast of Britain.
"There were a lot of people at the house this morning and
everything is just about sinking in," he told a press conference
on Monday. "The Claret Jug is there and my name's engraved on
it."
"Obviously now I've realized that, yes, I have won the Open."
Lawrie was pictured on the front or back page of every national
British newspaper Monday either holding the famous trophy aloft or
kissing the silverware.
"I won't change, not one little bit. But financially, things
will change a lot," said Lawrie during the media conference at his
Aberdeen home.
He's planning to buy a Ferrari and a new home with the $553,000
winners' purse. With endorsements and sponsorships sure to follow,
Lawrie says his family is "set up for life."
Jean Van de Velde's last-hole debacle at the 18th -- when he
squandered a three-stroke lead with a triple bogey -- made Lawrie's
stunning win possible.
With a final round 4-under-par 67, which left him 6-over for the
tournament, Lawrie played his part in erasing the 10-stroke
advantage Van de Velde held over him going into Sunday's round.
"Great Scot" read a typical headline. Monday's Daily Mail
described Lawrie's win with the one-word headline "Unbelievable,"
while the tabloid Mirror said: "Lawrie Runs Van Off The Road."
Other media described the win as "The Homecoming."
Lawrie lives with his wife and two sons in Aberdeen, barely a
one-hour drive from the Carnoustie course.
He became the first Scot to win the Open since Sandy Lyle in
1985, although Lyle, who won at Sandwich, was born in England of
Scottish parents.
So the home of golf has a new champion.
Lawrie jumped from 28th to No. 2 in the European Ryder Cup
standings and now has enough points to virtually guarantee a spot
in Europe's 10-man team for the September showdown against the
United States.
"I am really looking forward to it," said Lawrie of his
pending Ryder Cup debut. "I cannot wait to get there."
He sits behind six-time European No. 1 Colin Montgomerie and in
front of Darren Clarke and Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal in
the Ryder Cup standings.
When the latest world rankings were released Monday, Lawrie had
cruised from 159th into 48th place in the standings.
The rewards, apart from the fast car, will follow.
"I'd like to talk to everyone," he said referring to a flood
of calls from potential sponsors.
