Lawrie in ace form

The host was in ace form for the inaugural Paul Lawrie Golf Centre Challenge Match as he made a hole in one on his way to beating José María Olazábal today.

The day started perfectly as Lawrie holed his opening shot, a smooth nine iron into a gentle breeze on the 134 yard first hole at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre in Aberdeen. Lawrie, who defends his Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles this week, went on to complete the nine holes in three under par to his fellow Ryder Cup stars level par.

The event, sponsored by Farmfoods also included a donation by AOGA (Aberdeen Oilmen’s Golf Association) of £25,000 to Paul’s Foundation.

Following the Challenge, Lawrie and his victorious 2012 Ryder Cup Captain Olazábal took questions from the more than 600 spectators followed by a short-game clinic for some of Paul’s Foundation kids. The exhibition match is planned to become an annual fixture with Paul taking on some of Europe’s top players.