THE 150TH OPEN

July 15, 2022

Paul Lawrie

Mixed Zone

Q. Sum up the two days.

PAUL LAWRIE: I actually, believe it or not, I played pretty good. I putted absolutely horrible today. Probably one of the worst ever. I had seven 2-putts and two 3-putts on the front nine today.

I had a lot of really good shots, just couldn't get the ball in the hole. As happens, when you do that, you start hitting a couple of shots that are not very good and your score just racks up. But really over the two days, no, I can't think much I did wrong. But 7-over, sounds silly to say that when you're 7-over because it's a big score, but didn't play poorly at all.

Q. What was the thought coming off 18, what was in your mind coming off 18?

PAUL LAWRIE: As what?

Q. Just generally what in terms of the week, in terms of everything?

PAUL LAWRIE: Just hacked off. Because when you play, when you score like that, whether you're 53 or not, if I'm not -- I wouldn't have played if I never felt like I could compete. I always said that.

So I kind of felt all right coming in this week. My game, tee to green, was actually -- but you can see I'm probably -- I probably wouldn't be the shortest in the field, but I'm not far off it. Whereas, next week I'll be one of the longest. There's a massive gulf now -- you play with these boys. Min Woo, he just hits it improper, and crunches it.

Overall, played okay. Played pretty good. Short game of putting was dreadful, which is unlike me.

Q. You get them so for next week --

PAUL LAWRIE: Next week's a whole different thing, whole different mindset, whole different everyone else is in the field struggling with their back and their feet and popping pills every six or seven holes. Everyone's in the same boat.

Whereas this week, these boys are athletes, aren't they? Just a bit disappointing to rack up a score like that when I actually played okay. I don't mind racking up a score when you play terrible because that's how it is. But it's frustrating when you don't play poorly and rack up a score.

Q. (Indiscernible) fast at all but would you play another one of these?

PAUL LAWRIE: I'm not sure. I'm not sure what the storey is. I'll wait and see how I feel next year. But right now, no. But it is what it is. I always said I wouldn't ever take a spot if I didn't feel as though I could certainly play okay and play four rounds, I won't do that. I'll see how I feel next year whether I play or not.

Q. Muirfield is going to host the women's version of this Open Championship in a couple weeks. How cool is it that it's come to that point for them that they get their chance their chance to play it?

PAUL LAWRIE: Very cool. It's one of my favourite courses. Next to Carnoustie, it's probably my next favourite course in Scotland. Way up there.

One of our players, Michele Thomson is going to play. Looking forward to getting down there and watching her play a few holes that week. Great course. The ladies will love it.

Q. Any advice you have for the ladies to take on that challenge that's Muirfield?

PAUL LAWRIE: Like any other links course, stay out of the fairway bunkers and you need to hole some nice putts because you're always a long way away on links greens, so you've got to hole out well. Staying out of the fairway bunkers is the key.

Q. (Indiscernible) comfortable he made the cut. How much confidence (indiscernible)?

PAUL LAWRIE: You're struggling to speak this week. Have you had a couple of shots in (laughter). I didn't know what Davey's score was until just coming off the last, Craig said that Davey was 3-under.

First Open, first major, big field. Great for him. We'll walk around with him at the weekend and watch him play. He'll hopefully get -- I mean Ireland was huge for him. To be in that kind of company and have a chance to win coming down the last few holes and get a game here and then play four rounds here, man, it's got to be huge for him. I hope he takes that on board and he takes on, because, for me, he's really close to going to that next level. I don't see why he can't. Hopefully this week will do him a lot of good.

Q. Ask a question about Tiger. You wouldn't have seen it because you were out on the course. He had an emotional sendoff on 18 and said afterwards he doesn't know if he'll play St Andrews again. Would it be sad if he doesn't play an Open in Scotland, if this is his last one?

PAUL LAWRIE: Well, yeah, because I mean he's the main reason a lot of people are here. And I'm sure there will be big crowds anyway. But he's a big part of the fabric of this tournament having won it a few times.

I can't see him not playing another Open. Troon is only two years away. I can't see him not playing there. I would be surprised if he wasn't back. But I don't know, I don't know what he's feeling.

He's clearly struggling. You can see it. Physically looks as though he's struggling. But he'll improve over the next six months or so and I think he'll probably play quite a bit. But I don't know.

Q. Obviously you were close to his wife and kids growing up through the years. How big of an icon and role model has he been (indiscernible)?

PAUL LAWRIE: He's the best player of our generation. I don't know how much more you can put him on a pedestal than that. He's the best player that we've ever had in our generation. Obviously, Mr. Nicklaus has still got more majors, so I put him as a better player overall. But in my generation he's the one that's won the most. The best player.

Q. Your locker, it's -- just inside the door?

PAUL LAWRIE: I know where it is because as I said the three, as you go in the door, we're going to be Rory, Tiger and me.

Q. Good company.

PAUL LAWRIE: Absolutely. It's very nice. Very humbling. (Laughter) Boys, have you been in the tent? Seriously.