Relief for Lawrie as Tour card secured

A €5,275 payday at the Perth International was enough for Dublin’s Peter Lawrie to secure his European Tour card for the 2014 season.

Lawrie breathed a huge sigh of relief in moving up five places and ending his 10th full season on Tour in 109th position — one spot inside the top-110 who earn automatic membership next season.

With renowned Bournemouth bagman, John ‘Ronnie’ Roberts on the bag just for this one event, Lawrie firstly made the halfway on the Lake Karrinyup course.

Then with weekend rounds of 70 and 72 he finished in a share of 18th on three under par — enough to retain full European Tour membership.

“I came to Perth trying to keep my card and that was my main aim. While I got myself into a nice position to finish a little higher than I did I’m still very pleased.

“It would be easier to win a golf tournament without a noose around your neck and I certainly had the noose hanging around me.

“I had accountants and other people on the phone to me Saturday night when I couldn’t sleep trying to work out all the permutations of what was required.

“But it wasn’t until that last putt dropped that I could be happy.”

Lawrie was aboard the first flight back to the Ireland and looking forward to arriving home to his wife and four children and in a lot happier mood than when he left.

“I’ve been grumpy for a long time now so I can go home happy and looking forward to spending time with the family and finally get some sleep.”

However while Lawrie heads home delighted to retain his card fellow Irishman David Higgins again has another trip to the Tour School after posting a final round 73 for a distant share of 56th place at four over par.

Higgins ended the season in 115th place on the money list and five places and €12,999 shy of retaining his card.

“I’m naturally disappointed but you have to try so this is where we are now,” he said.

“Nothing worked out over the weekend. I played lovely on Sunday but just didn’t get any breaks on Saturday so it’s back to Q School.

“I thought after making the cut I could shoot a couple of 60somethings but it just didn’t work out and it’s very frustrating.”

Australian-based Korean Jin Jeong, and a former British Amateur champion, delivered Ryder Cup star and former Irish Open winner, Ross Fisher the biggest shock of his career in paring the first extra hole to win the event.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy shot a final-round 67 to claim a share of second place at the Kolon Korea Open.

The Irishman, who had fallen 10 shots behind the lead after three rounds, carded five birdies in his four-under-par round to end one behind winner Kang Sung-hoon.

McIlroy, the star attraction at the OneAsia Tour event, said: “I could have shot anything, absolutely anything.

“I only missed two greens and had so many chances, but it was like the story of yesterday — I just didn’t hole enough putts.”