Law has 2011 Walker Cup in his sights
- but he might be a pro before then!
FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
(with additional words by Colin Farquharson)
New Scottish boys' match-play champion David Law admitted he'd love to return to Royal Aberdeen as a Walker Cup player in 2011 – but revealed the lure of the pro game may be too hard to resist.
The Hazlehead teenager - he'll be 18 on May 4 - landed the biggest win of his blossoming career over the Balgownie links in his native city of Aberdeen on Saturday when he edged out good friend Paul Shields – the conqueror of Lothians hopeful Danny Kay in the semis – by one hole in a closely-fought final battle that went all the way to the 36th green.
Paul Lawrie protege Law has stated his ambitions of playing for GB&I in the prestigious Walker Cup when the biennial clash with the US heads for Royal Aberdeen in two years' time.
But the Scotland boys' team skipper admitted he could be tempted to start his career in the paid ranks before that if his rapid rise continues. Law said: "The Walker Cup, especially as it is in Aberdeen, is a big target and it's something I would love to play. If I managed to make it then I would probably turn pro after that.
"But if I feel I'm ready to turn pro before that then I will. That is my goal, to be a tour player. I have a good team behind me, with Paul and my coach, Neil Marr, and I'm sure they will advise me and put me on the right track.
"I was the backmarker in the championship and playing at home but I didn't feel that added up to a burden of pressure. Quite the opposite. I liked all the attention, all the fuss, being interviewed by the media and things like that and comming through all that and winning the title gives me a bit more belief."
Law thinks his comparatively rapid rise to the pole position in Scottish boys' golf dates back to the Scottish boys championship a couple of years ago when he started out in a tie against Michael Stewart (last year's champion) feeling he would do well to avoid a heavy defeat but in fact was not beaten until the 23rd.
"I came away from that match against Mikey, suddenly realising that I could play with the best of my age and the self-belief I derived from it has been the key to my play since then," said David.
Law was presented with the trophy by his mentor Lawrie after a thrilling 36-hole joust with Shields. And former Open champion Lawrie added: "It was a fantastic win for David, especially as it came in Aberdeen. I felt a big win for him was just around the corner and now it has arrived.
"There's no question that David is a better player than I was when I turned pro. I had a handicap of 5 then (Law's rating is +2) - and I was never good enough even to get into the field for a Scottish boys' championship," said Lawrie.
"David's biggest assets are his attitude and his temperament. I wish I had these qualities! If he keeps that up I believe he will go a long way in the game. The next two years or so are very important.
"He has to take his game up the next level. He knows that he has to improve his chipping and putting. That's not being hyper-critical of David. He's already a fine player but he recognises that he has to improve his short game and the only way to achieve that is to practice and then even more practice."
Top seed Law had been four up after the morning round on Saturday but Kirkhill youngster Shields hit back in the afternoon with an outward half of 35 to Law's 37 to and went on to level the match on the 35th hole when his rival thinned a chip into the greenside bunker.
All square coming down the 36th, Law rolled in a knee-knocking six-footer for his par on the last to pile the pressure on his opponent. And Shields, runner-up in last year's championship, suffered more final agony when his effort from five feet, to force a play-off, lipped out.
Law said: "Paul is one of my best friends. It's never easy playing against a pal and it was a sad way for it to end with his putt. But I have to be pleased for myself as I've never won an event as big as this.
"It's always tough coming down the closing stretch when you're trying to win a tournament and Paul really made it hard for me."
- but he might be a pro before then!
FROM THE SPORT.SCOTSMAN.COM WEBSITE
By NICK RODGER
(with additional words by Colin Farquharson)
New Scottish boys' match-play champion David Law admitted he'd love to return to Royal Aberdeen as a Walker Cup player in 2011 – but revealed the lure of the pro game may be too hard to resist.
The Hazlehead teenager - he'll be 18 on May 4 - landed the biggest win of his blossoming career over the Balgownie links in his native city of Aberdeen on Saturday when he edged out good friend Paul Shields – the conqueror of Lothians hopeful Danny Kay in the semis – by one hole in a closely-fought final battle that went all the way to the 36th green.
Paul Lawrie protege Law has stated his ambitions of playing for GB&I in the prestigious Walker Cup when the biennial clash with the US heads for Royal Aberdeen in two years' time.
But the Scotland boys' team skipper admitted he could be tempted to start his career in the paid ranks before that if his rapid rise continues. Law said: "The Walker Cup, especially as it is in Aberdeen, is a big target and it's something I would love to play. If I managed to make it then I would probably turn pro after that.
"But if I feel I'm ready to turn pro before that then I will. That is my goal, to be a tour player. I have a good team behind me, with Paul and my coach, Neil Marr, and I'm sure they will advise me and put me on the right track.
"I was the backmarker in the championship and playing at home but I didn't feel that added up to a burden of pressure. Quite the opposite. I liked all the attention, all the fuss, being interviewed by the media and things like that and comming through all that and winning the title gives me a bit more belief."
Law thinks his comparatively rapid rise to the pole position in Scottish boys' golf dates back to the Scottish boys championship a couple of years ago when he started out in a tie against Michael Stewart (last year's champion) feeling he would do well to avoid a heavy defeat but in fact was not beaten until the 23rd.
"I came away from that match against Mikey, suddenly realising that I could play with the best of my age and the self-belief I derived from it has been the key to my play since then," said David.
Law was presented with the trophy by his mentor Lawrie after a thrilling 36-hole joust with Shields. And former Open champion Lawrie added: "It was a fantastic win for David, especially as it came in Aberdeen. I felt a big win for him was just around the corner and now it has arrived.
"There's no question that David is a better player than I was when I turned pro. I had a handicap of 5 then (Law's rating is +2) - and I was never good enough even to get into the field for a Scottish boys' championship," said Lawrie.
"David's biggest assets are his attitude and his temperament. I wish I had these qualities! If he keeps that up I believe he will go a long way in the game. The next two years or so are very important.
"He has to take his game up the next level. He knows that he has to improve his chipping and putting. That's not being hyper-critical of David. He's already a fine player but he recognises that he has to improve his short game and the only way to achieve that is to practice and then even more practice."
Top seed Law had been four up after the morning round on Saturday but Kirkhill youngster Shields hit back in the afternoon with an outward half of 35 to Law's 37 to and went on to level the match on the 35th hole when his rival thinned a chip into the greenside bunker.
All square coming down the 36th, Law rolled in a knee-knocking six-footer for his par on the last to pile the pressure on his opponent. And Shields, runner-up in last year's championship, suffered more final agony when his effort from five feet, to force a play-off, lipped out.
Law said: "Paul is one of my best friends. It's never easy playing against a pal and it was a sad way for it to end with his putt. But I have to be pleased for myself as I've never won an event as big as this.
"It's always tough coming down the closing stretch when you're trying to win a tournament and Paul really made it hard for me."
Labels: Boys
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Monday, April 13, 2009
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