Aberdeen’s Paul Lawrie credits his sporting idol Sir Alex Ferguson with instructing him not to let any success pass without celebration.
Lifelong Aberdeen fan Lawrie met former Dons manager Ferguson in the wake of his Open victory at Carnoustie in 1999, where this year’s tournament returns in July.
Ferguson, 76, is recovering in hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage this month and Lawrie says the former Manchester United boss has been a big influence on his career.
He said: “I was at the BBC sports awards after winning the Open. I was beside Colin Montgomerie and Nick Faldo chatting to them and Sir Alex came down the stairs with the Manchester United team, and Monty said to me: ‘You’ll know him really well’.
“But I’d never met him, although he had sent me a letter congratulating me on winning the Open and being an Aberdeen fan I knew what he had done for the club.
“Monty offered to introduce me. He went first and I was at the back but when he saw me Sir Alex said it was great to meet me and we chatted away. I thanked him for the letter and it was then he said that you need to celebrate success.
“It was a different scene back then when I won the Open and I didn’t drink a lot. I wish I had because I quite enjoy a drink now. But I was a whole different character back then who practised morning, noon and night to ensure I would be the best that I could be. I was hell-bent on making sure I made the most of the that the opportunity I had given.
“He gave me his number and we’ve kept in touch since then. He’s also invited me down a few times. He’s always been my sporting idol, him and Sandy Lyle, and it was different class when I met them. They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes but those two are different class.”
“I was just sitting at home when I heard about his illness. We were on the couch watching telly and I think it was on Twitter that I read it first that he’d obviously had a serious problem.
“I just couldn’t believe it but I think everyone was the same. Whether you’re a fan of Aberdeen or Man United or not, he’s a legend. Let’s hope he pulls through.”
Lawrie, who missed the cut on his last outing came in the Hassan Trophy, insists he is managing his schedule carefully in the build up to the Open.
The 49-year-old added: “This time of the year is busy not just on the playing side but for things off the course to do ahead of the Open.
“So, it’s kind of full on, which is fair enough and once we get the next few weeks out of the way and all the commitments are done then I can concentrate on the Irish Open, Scottish Open and the Open, which is the nicest run of the year. I’ve not played the French for a long time. It’s a course I really like but it’s not one I’ve ever played well on.
“I also think throwing in a fourth event in a row at my age is too much.
“My foot’s not been great either, which is why I’m not playing in Belgium this week.”