Lawrie has Ryder Cup captaincy dream

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DREAM: Aberdeen's Paul Lawrie.

I’M NO.1: Robert Karlsson with the Harry Vardon Trophy after his Order of Merit win.

PAUL LAWRIE harbours ambitions of being European Ryder Cup captain at Gleneagles in 2014.

Lawrie said: “My focus at the moment is playing.

“Colin Montgomerie should be captain in 2010, but if he thinks he can play one more time, then fair play to him.

“I’d be better suited to Gleneagles in 2014.

“I wouldn’t have any issues with the public side of the job.

“I’d give the media what they want in terms of access, and if I found I wasn’t at the required level as a public speaker then I would practise until I was.”

Lawrie tied with newly crowned European No.1 Robert Karlsson on nine over par after a final round of 70 in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Meanwhile, Karlsson is already setting about the task of defending his Order of Merit crown.

The 39-year-old Swede became the Tour’s new top player despite finishing only 32nd out of 57 in Spain.

But rather than embarking on wild celebrations, Karlsson flew from the Costa del Sol to Paris and was today due to arrive in Shanghai to start the new season.

Karlsson topped what from now on will be known as “The Race To Dubai” with £2.17 million, £217,000 more than Padraig Harrington, who needing to finish first or second in Spain, could do no better than joint 13th.

As for the Volvo Masters, it was won by Dane Soren Kjeldsen by two shots from England’s Anthony Wall and German Martin Kaymer.

SHOULD PAUL LAWRIE BE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN? EMAIL: ee.sport@ajl.co.uk