Paul Lawrie to become spectator in 150th Open after David Law makes cut on major debut

Paul Lawrie started the 150th Open and is now set to become a spectator over the weekend at St Andrews after David Law, a player he both mentors and manages, comfortably made the cut on his major debut.

It was an early exit for Lawrie in the week he not only hit the opening shot on Thursday but also joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in becoming an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews following rounds of 72 and 77.

But, looking comfortable on his first appearance on one of the game’s biggest stages, Law followed an opening 72 with a 69 to breeze through to the weekend in the milestone event on three-under-par.

“First Open, first major, big field. Great for him,” said Lawrie, the 1999 winner, on learning of Law’s success. “We'll walk around with him at the weekend and watch him play.”

Law, who qualified through finishing joint-fourth in the Irish Open a fortnight ago, secured his place in the final 36 holes by coming home in three-under 33.

“The support has been great,” said the 31-year-old, who raised a big cheer around the 18th after signing off with a birdie.

“I’ve never played an event of this magnitude, so it’s surreal hearing them shout my name on tees and coming off greens. I was nervous playing the first couple of holes on Thursday, but I settled down.”

As an amateur, Law suffered a sore experience on the Old Course as he took 85 blows in the St Andrews Links Trophy. “It wasn’t memorable. Well, it was for the wrong reasons,” he said, smiling, of that.

Lawrie is hoping that his fellow Aberdonian, who won the HSPS Handa Vic Open in his rookie season on the DP World Tour in 2019, continues to thrive in this environment.

“To play four rounds here, man, it's got to be huge for him,” he