Paul Lawrie insists his game is not where he wants it to be as he prepares to make his return to the European Tour this week at the Scottish Open.
The former Open champion missed most of last season due to a foot injury which required surgery and the recovery is proving a long process.
The Aberdonian, who has been playing on the Seniors Tour in 2019, admits to being fragile as he heads for the Renaissance Club.
He said: “The golf that I have played has not been very good. I’m finding it quite difficult to get back in. It’s not that my golf is poor or I’m struggling physically – my golf is just not the best.
“It’s not horrendous, I’ve just found it quite frustrating when you’ve been able to do something to a good level before then all of a sudden that level is 71-77 as opposed to 65-71.
“The surgeon said it would take a year for me to feel back to proper tournament sharp and I’m quite a long way off a year yet.
“It’s always nice to play in the Scottish Open. I think I’ve only missed it once since I got on Tour.
“But I’m a little apprehensive playing in a tournament of that size, then The Open right after, having not played a lot of golf and not playing very well.
“I’ve never been someone who is shy in my own confidence as a golfer but I’m a wee bit fragile with my golf, which is the first time ever. There’s not much you can do. Your level is your level, you just have to do your best.”
Lawrie warmed up for the Scottish Open with a friendly challenge match against Europe’s Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew at his golf centre yesterday.
Lawrie was grateful to Matthew for taking part and is also thrilled to do his part to support team Europe for the match against the United States at Gleneagles in September after accepting the role of ambassador for the team.
He said: “It’s a huge honour to be asked to do a little bit of help as an ambassador, I’m looking forward to it.
“I think it’s massive for the whole country. There’s a whole equality issue going on at the moment with women’s and men’s sport so to have a tournament of that size in Scotland after the Ryder Cup being there in 2014 should be huge for everyone.
“I hope the country gets behind Catriona and the team and I’m sure they will.”
Matthew is delighted to have a former Open champion on board in support of the match as she tries to regain the trophy.
She said: “To have someone of Paul’s stature put his weight behind the event is great and if that can spur a few more people to come out and watch and support then so much the better.
“Until people come to an event like a Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup they just don’t realise how different it is from a regular tour event – the excitement and the crowds get far more into it. So to come and get the atmosphere will be a great experience for them.”
