Unquestionably, there are many successful golfers. Some win Order of Merits, some spend weeks as world number one, some win on all tours globally. Not only is Paul Lawrie a successful golfer, he also has two iconic golf moments that golf fans will remember forever.

In 1999, Jean van de Velde needed a double-bogey on the 72^nd hole to win the Open at Carnoustie. The next 20 minutes helped change Paul Lawrie’s life forever. Van de Velde triple-bogeyed the last, which placed him in a tie at the top of the leaderboard alongside the USA’s, Justin Leonard and Scotland’s, Paul Lawrie. Born and bred 60 miles up the coast from Carnoustie in Aberdeen, Lawrie seized the moment.

People will talk about fate, but for Lawrie, he started the day ten shots back. A brilliant 66 and winning the four hole play-off by three shots, birdieing the 17^th and 18^th, demonstrated he played great golf and deserved to win. This triumph gave Lawrie his first Major and Scotland’s first Open winner on home soil since James Braid won at St Andrews in 1910.

Lawrie was a man for the big occasion again, this time in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. Having played well, without success in the earlier fourballs, Lawrie picked up one of the famous 8½ points that Europe won on the final day to overhaul the four point deficit, win the cup and play his part in the Miracle at Medinah. ‘Chippy’ birdied the 4^th, chipping in from off the green, then eagled the 5^th to ultimately help beat Brandt Snedeker 5&3.

Paul continues to play competitively, but also works tirelessly to promote golf in Scotland, especially to youngsters, making sure that everyone can enjoy the game. The Paul Lawrie Golf Centre in his native Aberdeen demonstrates his commitment to golf, coaching and offering local golf facilities.