The Open; Paul Lawrie thrilled with putting as St Andrews challenge continues
Last Updated: 18/07/15 10:15pm
Paul Lawrie credited a new putter for keeping him in touching distance of 144th Open leader Dustin Johnson at St Andrews.
The 46-year-old, who lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 1999, is just two strokes behind the big-hitting American after a second-round 70 left him third.
Lawrie has played only 10 events this season with his best finish, tied 17th, coming at last week's Scottish Open
"I could easily be sitting here five-under and not eight, so that's the positive thing," he said after completing his unfinished second round with five successive pars either side of a 10-and-a-half-hour break for high winds.
"Obviously I've been working really hard on my putting. I've got a new putter.
"Last week I put it in the bag with different grooves and they are rolling a lot better and it feels great.
"These putts are hugely important if you're going to win tournaments."
Lawrie still does not get the full credit for his 1999 win, which came via a play-off, and even this week there have been articles written by critics saying he should never have won.
"It's 16 years ago, give us a break, it gets a wee bit kind of monotonous after a while," he added.
"That was a particular poor article in my opinion but now and again you're going to get boys who want to write something and make a bit of controversy about it but you move on. No big deal.
And on his chances of success over the next 36 holes, he said: "Haven't really thought that far ahead to be honest. I've always prided myself on 'You are where you are' as opposed to where you would like to be.
"There's 36 holes to go and there's a lot of world-class players in there. I think if you start getting ahead of yourself that is when you start making mistakes and tripping up.
"All I'm thinking about is getting off the first tee tomorrow, picking my line that I want to hit it on, making a good swing, and moving on to the second shot at the first.
"I know it's boring but as soon as you start getting ahead of yourself and dreaming of things, that is when disasters happen. I know I'm playing well, I know I'm swinging well and I'm certainly putting better - but there's a long way to go."
