SCOTLAND’S PAUL LAWRIE celebrated official confirmation of his return to the European Ryder Cup team with a resounding four-shot victory in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on Sunday.
Lawrie, 43, shot a final round 68 for his second Tour victory this year and the eighth of his career.
Australia’s Brett Rumford secured his best finish in two years shooting a 68 for second place on 12-under par tally on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles.
Holland’s Maarten Lafeber (69), France’s Romain Wattel (72) and Sweden’s Fredrik Anderssen-Hed (65) shared third place on 11-under par.
Lawrie was delivering a further boost to Jose Maria Olazabal’s European team as this success came on the back of wins this month by fellow Ryder Cup team members Rory McIlroy in the PGA Championship and Sergio Garcia in the Wyndham Championship.
World No. 1 McIlroy heads the list of European Team qualifiers with Germany’s Martin Kaymer securing the 10th and final automatic place.
Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts was the only player who could have changed the standings but after finishing in a share of 19th place in this final qualifying event the 29-year old will now have to rely on a Jose Maria Olazabal wildcard pick on Monday.
Europe’s automatic qualifiers for the Ryder Cup:
1. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 2. Justin Rose (ENG), 3. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 4. Paul Lawrie (SCO), 5. Francesco Molinari (ITA), 6. Luke Donald (ENG), 7. Lee Westwood (ENG), 8. Sergio Garcia (ESP), 9. Peter Hanson (SWE), 10. Martin Kaymer (GER).