PAUL LAWRIE yesterday revealed that Ryder Cup captaincy is still on his wish list.
With the transatlantic match coming up at Gleneagles in 2014, the 1999 Open champion at Carnoustie surely would be a candidate.
He has the pedigree, the organisational qualities, and, at 45, would be exactly the right age. He is also on the influential Tournament Players Committee.
"I'd love to do it," said Lawrie on the eve of the ?2.65million Portuguese Masters at the Oceanico Victoria course in Vilamoura.
"But I'm certainly not putting my name forward for the captain's role.
'I'd love it but O f course I'd consider it, but as Darren Clarke said, you have to wait to be asked."
However, Lawrie admits that time is running out for him. "I've always thought that as I've played in only one Ryder Cup - at Brookline in 1999 - that's not enough to be chosen as a captain," he added.
"Yet I see that Jeff Sluman has a chance to be the next US captain, and he's never played in the Ryder Cup. It's weird how it works.
"I would have thought, though, that to have a chance of the 2014 captaincy at Gleneagles I'd have to be involved in the 2012 match at Medinah, either as a player or a vice-captain. If that doesn't happen I don't think I've any chance of getting the captaincy."
Lawrie wouldn't be the only Scottish winner of The Open to be bypassed. Sandy Lyle has been ignored.
Miguel Angel Jimenez was right in the thick of the celebrations at the end of this year's match at Celtic Manor, and the veteran Spaniard still has the scars.
In the frenzy that followed Graeme McDowell's clinching victory at the 17th, Jimenez injured his right foot.
"There were so many people I couldn't see the ground and I went over on my ankle," he said. "I spent all of the Monday night iceing the ankle and resting my leg straight out, and then for the rest of the week doing interviews and answering the phone.
"It was very painful. I couldn't put my foot on the ground. I didn't play at all until last Friday, and then just to test it."
Meanwhile, Jimenez has backed the Tour's decision to increase the number of events members must play each season to keep their card from 12 to 13. And there is an added stipulation. Three of the 13 - not counting The Open - must be on European soil.
"I think that's perfect," said Jimenez. "We have to support Europe. We have to look out for our sponsors. All of the players who play now in America and in other parts of the world must realise that this is their roots."
With more of their star members, such as Paul Casey, Justin Rose and now McDowell operating much of the time in America, this is a firm reminder that in tough economic times their home Tour and its sponsors need their support.
"This is not a huge change," said Tour chief George O'Grady. "But it is a change of gesture. This is is a change of gesture. This is about giving more drive to the European Tour."
Although this decision is not a reaction to the Ryder Cup and its selection process, O'Grady made the point that all members - even those playing in the States - still have opportunities to qualify automatically.
In other words, those in America and high on the world rankings should not rely too heavily on captain's wildcards. Casey and Rose have already discovered that to their cost.
A SEVE BALLESTEROS Invitational pro-am will be hosted at Wentworth next May.
Proceeds will be donated to the Seve Ballesteros Foundation's activities on behalf of Cancer Research UK.
Research UK.
'I'd love to do it but you have to be asked'
