Lawrie’s future looks assured

PETER LAWRIE’S share of second place in the Spanish Open at the weekend bumped him up to a career best 24th on the European Tour order of merit and virtually clinched his card for 2004.

Naturally, he was disappointed at failing at the second tie hole of the play-off against Englishman Kenneth Ferrie, but agreed that if offered the runner-up spot before the event began, he would have jumped at the chance.

The 29-year-old from Clondalkin now has 189,417 to his credit and another 30,000 between now and the end of the season would ensure his playing privileges for next year.