Lawrie leaps into Ryder Cup contention

Paul Lawrie has put himself well in frame for Ryder Cup selection after capturing a second Qatar Masters victory 13 years after his first.

Lawrie moved to fourth on the Ryder Cup points table after strolling to a four-stroke victory with a round of 65 for a 15-under par tally at the wind-affected event reduced to 54 holes in Doha.

The 43-year-old Scot has moved to 45th in the world, boosting his Medinah chances by earning a start in the upcoming WGC events and likely starts in April’s US Masters and June’s US Open on top of the British Open.

“I must be doing something right as it’s been a long time since I was inside the top 50 and if I manage to hold on and get into the Masters, it’s going to be huge,” said Lawrie.

Australia’s Jason Day (65) and Sweden’s Peter Hanson (67) shared second place on 11-under par while double Major winning, John Daly started his European Tour season with a 67 for fourth place at nine under par.

Belfast’s Michael Hoey, who battled a stomach bug, jumped 14 spots to 33rd on the Race to Dubai courtesy of his last day 68 to share 12th place at six under par.

“I was feeling a little bit sick all round as I’ve had food poisoning and I just had no energy,” he said.

“Normally I would eat a lot of food during a round of golf but I just couldn’t eat, and the two mistakes I made, and I didn’t choke, as I just was running out of energy.

“But to shoot 68 on a Sunday is always a good thing and it’s great to get back into the top 100, I feel I am heading in the right direction.”

Graeme McDowell was returning home to Orlando after a 70 for a share of 59th spot at one under par, with Damien McGrane carding a last day 73 and a two over par tally.