Rookie of the Year: John O'Sullivan talks to the Dublin golfer, the first Irishman to capture the prestigious title.

It wasn't a surprise when Ken Schofield took Peter Lawrie to one side last Wednesday at Valderrama and informed him he would be the recipient of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award for 2003. It had become common currency on the European Tour, but, despite being a shoo-in, the Irish golfer's pleasure had not been diluted.

It may have been a slight anti-climax, as there was no Oscar-like revelation, but the 29-year-old Dubliner has achieved something no other Irish golfer has managed in the 39-year history of the award. He will always be the first Irish recipient, eclipsing the debut seasons of compatriots like Ronan Rafferty, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, to name three.

"To be honest I had a look at the Volvo Order of Merit and realised there wasn't really a challenger. It would have been a travesty to be passed over, so it wasn't like a bolt from the blue."

His first inkling that the award would be in his compass was when he finished second in Tenerife, following a play-off. "After that, and when I had my card secured, I knew I'd have a reasonably good chance if I could maintain that progress."

The former amateur international was selected by a joint panel comprising the European Tour, the Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews and the Association of Golf Writers, to become the 39th recipient, not only following in the immediate footsteps of England's Nick Dougherty but also joining illustrious predecessors in Tony Jacklin (1963), Nick Faldo (1977), Sandy Lyle (1978) and José Maria Olazábal (1986).

The latter quartet went on to capture Major championships, while Colin Montgomerie, the 1988 winner, won a record seven successive Order of Merits.

Lawrie graduated to the European Tour through the Challenge Tour, finishing fourth in the rankings at the end of 2002, helped by a superb victory in the Challenge Tour Grand Final.

His elevation to the European Tour was testament to his determination, having spent one year on the Asian PGA Tour and three seasons on the Challenge Tour before achieving his goal.

During this highly successful season on the European Tour, Lawrie finished in the top 20 on six occasions, and came close to a first title in the Canarias Open de España, where he was edged out in a play-off with Sweden's Peter Hedblom and eventual champion Kenneth Ferrie (England).

Those performances enabled him to qualify for the season-ending Volvo Masters, where he finished tied 42nd to secure a final position of 56th on the Order of Merit.

Four years chasing a dream requires perseverance and character allied to ability, and while Lawrie fostered an unshakable belief that he was good enough for the main tour, there were plenty of valley periods mentally.

"There are times when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, when you're grumpy and hugely frustrated."

Invariably the antidote was to practise harder. He attributes the reason for his breakthrough to "maturity, a little bit of consistency and filling out a bit physically".

Two people to whom he pays tribute for fine-tuning his technique, both mental and physical, are coach Brendan McDaid (Rathsallagh) and Professor Aidan Moran, who taught him that getting ahead of himself mentally was a fast track to missing weekends. There is also honourable mention for his parents and girlfriend, Phillipa.

The highlight, apart from Tenerife, was his performance at the Irish Open at Portmarnock. "On the Saturday I was joint leader with three holes to go of that round, and although I fell away a bit after that it is a very positive memory."

Honest, personable and with a good sense of humour, Lawrie's achievements in his rookie season in no way cloud the shortcomings he feels still afflict his game, especially if he is to reach the next level.

"My long game isn't good enough, I don't hit enough fairways and I don't hit the ball far enough. I'm not very short by Tour standards but the top players are definitely hitting one club less."

To address this, a winter in the gym awaits the Newlands member. "I would sacrifice length for accuracy," he laughs, "but I haven't got that either. I'll spend the winter working on hitting it a little longer and straighter."

He succeed with most of the goals he set himself at the start of the season, the exception being a stroke average of 71. "I think it's 71.9 something. Four shots a tournament makes a huge difference. That goal next season will be to try to have a stroke average of 70 or 71."

A long-term ambition is to make the Ryder Cup team when it comes to Ireland in 2006. And what of next year's Europe v America confrontation? "I'm under no illusions about that."

There'll be time to enjoy all he has achieved this season, but Lawrie realises that when the 2004 season gets under way the expectations will be greater, as befits the Rookie of the Year.