Kintore , Deeside , Ballater , Banchory ( where I served my time as an assistant pro ). There really are so many unbelievable courses and people planning a trip should really research some of the other gems we ’ ve got . But you are right , Royal Aberdeen , Trump Aberdeen , Murcar , Cruden Bay are all big names and great courses .
DG : There ’ s no doubt demand will be high in 2021 , 2022 and 2023 . Speaking to colleagues in the golf industry we expect travelling golfers to stay a bit longer on their next trip ( s ) to play new courses and see more of the region , so thank you for mentioning some of your hidden gems . I am excited to talk about your win at Carnoustie . A Scot winning The Open in Scotland is what dreams are made of . What are your fondest memories ?
PL : No matter what I do , it will always be the biggest thing that ever happens to me … unless I win another Major , which is probably unlikely now . It was just one of those weeks . The golf course was set up tough , and it was all about showing tremendous patience . You could not be aggressive from the rough , you had to take your medicine and chip it down the fairway . That was my game plan all week which I made with my coach at that time , who sadly is not with us anymore , but Adam did a great job for me . We felt that if you keep a double or triple bogey off the card , and you kept it to bogeys at worst , you were going to have a chance to win . That was true , as there was only two of us that did not have a double bogey or worse all week , and two of the three were in the Playoff , which was me and Justin Leonard . I turned pro off a 5 handicap , was not very good when I was young and never thought growing up that I would go on to have the career that I have had . But to win The Open is something you dream about on the putting green . There ’ s Seve , Tom Watson , Sandy Lyle , and others – and you ’ re thinking “ would I ever have a putt to win The Open ?”. It was just amazing . I drove up and down the road all week from my house in Aberdeen , as I could not get accommodation in Carnoustie . My little boy Michael was only 6-months old , so to be able to give your baby his bottle of milk in the morning before going was something that not many people can say ever happened to them ! We normally stay in hotels , so to stay in your own bed and win The Open , it does not get any better than that .
DG : Next year all eyes will turn to St . Andrews for the 150th Open Championship . It is going to be a great way for Scotland to drive golf tourism . Are you looking forward to it ?
PL : I think anytime the Open is played at the Old Course it is very special and the crowds are incredible . If you are a golf fan you will always want to go to The Open , but especially when it is at St Andrews . I am definitely going to play next year . It ’ s not one that I would ever dream of missing .
PL : It is always difficult to pick one because we have got so many . And , when you do pick one , there are always folks who say , “ ah why did you pick there and not here ?”. Obviously Murfield was the first Open venue that I played , so I always feel that is very important and it is a beautiful place . Carnoustie , not just because I won The Open there , as it ’ s such a special golf course and for me it does not get much better than Carnoustie . And obviously the Old Course like Catriona said . So those three I always say are my favourites
DG : Who is the best player you have ever played with and why ?
PL : Well , that ’ s always difficult to answer because every player has one outstanding part to their game … but very few have the whole package . But Tiger Woods is clearly the best player of my generation . I am lucky enough to have played with Tiger a few times . And for someone who did not drive the ball very well for large periods of his career , but still won Majors , it shows you how good a player he was and how strong mentally he was . Especially his short game and putting – nobody putted better in the World for about 10-years straight .
DG : You have mentioned enough names for me to have a stab at your dream fourball , but who would it be ?
PL : If I were allowed one fourball for the rest of my life , I would play with Adam Hunter who was my friend and coach when I won the Open , who sadly passed away , my oldest son Craig , and my youngest son Michael . I enjoy nothing more than playing with my boys .
DG : What ’ s the best shot of your career ?
PL : Probably the 4-iron I hit in the playoff at Carnoustie , when playing the fourth extra hole . I think I was only one ahead of Justin Leonard who we thought had hit his shot into the bunker , so I had to have a go . I am just extremely proud of that shot and how calm , focused and in the moment I was . When you get a chance to win a tournament you have got to do the right thing at the right time . It will always be the best shot and most important shot that I have ever hit .
DG : Albeit difficult to choose , can you list your favourite par-3 , par-4 , and par-5 holes in Scotland ?
PL : Wow . Well , my favourite par-3 is easy . It is called “ The Bishop ” at Hopeman Golf Club . I used to play it when I was a young boy as my mum and dad had a caravan up there . It ’ s straight downhill , about 160-yards , so it is a wedge … but back then it might have been a five wood . Par-4 would be the 18th at Carnoustie , not only because it
DG : Catriona said the Old Course is her favourite Scottish course but what is yours and why ?
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