Paul Lawrie is hoping a lengthy break and a quick session with a top sports psychologist will be just what the doctor ordered ahead of the 77th Masters tournament at Augusta.
Lawrie has not played competitively since March 10 arguably not the ideal preparation for the first major championship of the year at a daunting venue.
But the former Open champion felt the rest was much needed as he looks to claim a first Green Jacket on the 25th anniversary of fellow Scot Sandy Lyle’s triumph at Augusta.
“I feel like I’ve not had a break since the Ryder Cup,” said Lawrie, who was 24th in Georgia last year after opening with a 69 which left him just two shots off the lead.
“(Ian) Poulter, (Graeme) McDowell and all those boys have eight or nine weeks off at the start of the year. I kept playing. Maybe that four-week break was enough just to say ‘Let’s get going, let’s get back to business’.
“I think the wee break is just what I needed. You’re never sure how having that time will work out. But I had a wee chat with Bob Rotella and he said it might be the best thing.
“I’ve never ever had three weeks when I’ve hardly hit a shot or swung a club but I didn’t feel rusty, I felt sharp so here’s hoping it will be all right.
“Maybe there is a tendency to over-prepare for majors, I don’t know. I’m not going to stand here and say I feel great and I’m going to have a chance to win, but I feel good.”
Dr Rotella is one of the top sports psychologists in the world and 44-year-old Lawrie added: “I only tend to see Bob when I come over to the US. Trying to get him on the phone is a nightmare.
“Five or six times a year is enough for me. I don’t need somebody to hold my hand or speak to every week and it’s working out well. I like his approach. It’s not lie on the couch, deep stuff. We have a laugh and a joke, he tells a few stories and then off we go. Before you know it, 30 minutes has gone by.”
In contrast to Lawrie, fellow Scot Martin Laird comes into the Masters in the best possible form after winning the Texas Open on Sunday to secure his place at Augusta.
Laird carded a final round of 63 in San Antonio to finish two shots ahead of world number two Rory McIlroy and said: “I don’t really have expectations, which is a good thing.
“I’m a little more relaxed this week. I don’t have all the people coming that normally come, because it’s such short notice, so it’s a quieter, more relaxed week.”