Brendan McDaid coached European Tour winner Peter Lawrie long before the Dubliner claimed his maiden European Tour victory at the Open de España in 2008 in Sevilla, defeating home favourite Ignacio Garrido in a play-off. A victory that was followed by a third place finish at the same event twelve months later when it was played at PGA Catalunya.
In 2012 Lawrie qualified for the US Open for the very first time.
At the 36 hole qualifier in Walton Heath Peter needed to finish among the top 11 to earn a place at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, and did so after a five-way play-off for four places – finishing on six-under-par with Matthew Baldwin, Matteo Manassero, Rafael Jacquelin and Shirwan Kim.
The Dubliner's only previous appearance in a Major was at the 2005 British Open at St Andrews.
After a twelve year journey the partnership now concludes and Lawrie will tee off the 2014 season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship without the ever observant McDaid for the first time in over a decade.
“Since Peter was the Rookie of the Year 2003; it has been a great adventure on the European Tour together,” said McDaid “Particularly retaining his playing rights in Perth at the very end of last season. Which really came down to the wire and was a true test of nerve in Australia”
“For this season a new setup makes sense and I am grateful to Peter for some great years on Tour,” continued Brendan, “No doubt he will continue to enjoy success and I wish him well.”
“At times these changes can be good and it is the natural process of the game” said McDaid, “Few things ever stay the same and the twelve years have just flashed by us both.”
Having coached a number of aspiring Irish players over the years McDaid reflects on some of those names that crossed his path.
“These days Gary Murphy works in the media outside the ropes, Colm Moriarty, a regular on the Challenge Tour, has called it a day inside the ropes. As did Stephen Browne some years back now,” Brendan explained.
“On the other hand Michael McGeady won the Irish PGA Championship last year which was great to see.”
Golf started early for McDaid as a young member of Lahinch Golf Club from where he won the Irish Youths in 1977 and progressed to a PGA Professional by 1985. Born in Donegal and raised in Skibbereen, Co. Cork, his playing career as an amateur career saw victory at The Irish Youths, The Munster Youths twice and The Munster Boys.
In 1981 McDaid joined professional ranks training in Bandon Golf Club in Cork and becoming a PGA Professional four years later, reaching Category 14 on the European Tour in 1989.
Golf tuition however was to become his real vocation. That decision reflected in a coaching career that has clocked up success stories over time.
It also included Karen Delaney, Irish Ladies Close Champion 2007 and Kate Gallagher, Irish Girls Champion in 2007. With a list of individual titles also among the credits; 6 Irish Ladies Close Champions in the 1990’s; 2 Irish Strokeplay Champions in the 1990’s; Curtis Cup Team Members in 1992 & 1998 and a 2003 Walker cup team member.
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