Lawrie ready for Ryder Cup

Paul Lawrie believes he is in the form of his life with the Ryder Cup only a month away.

The 43-year-old Scot, who has made it back into Europe's line-up after a gap of 13 years, won the Johnnie Walker Championship by four shots at Gleneagles on Sunday.

"My ball-striking has gone up hugely the last few years - I've been working pretty hard at that and I'm hitting it by far and away the best I ever have," Lawrie said. "I'll play as hard as I can and as well as I can and hopefully win some points."

Lawrie's debut was the 'Battle of Brookline' defeat in Boston, but he won three and halved one of his five games.

He was also called upon by then captain Mark James to hit the opening shot of the match and, while he will not be volunteering to do it again, if Jose Maria Olazabal asks he will not duck out.

"It's not for me to say who is going to hit it. I'm sure I'd be shaking like a leaf like last time, but you've just got to get on with it."

All last week, however, Lawrie looked calmness personified. That was partly because his cup place was secure and partly because he was back in his home country.

Three of his eight European Tour titles have come on Scottish soil and he added: "I feel calmer in Scotland for some reason - it's weird - and I play some of my best golf too."

Former Open champion Lawrie went nine years without winning anywhere, but that long barren spell ended in Spain early last year and this was his second victory of the season.

He also had runner-up finishes in two huge events, the Dubai World Championship and BMW PGA Championship and he has qualified in third place behind Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.