Paul Lawrie realistic on Masters chances

Scotsman Paul Lawrie is keeping his feet on the ground as he prepares for the 2012 Masters at Augusta National in Georgia

Paul Lawrie wins Qatar Masters (Getty Images)

Paul Lawrie has refused to set any goals for the 2012 Masters at

Augusta National in Georgia.

The Scotsman has had a fine start to 2012, winning in Qatar and regaining a place in the top 50 of the official world golf rankings.

The

42-year-old will play his first Masters for eight years when he tees it up on April 5.

Lawrie has admitted that his confidence is high, but remains skeptical about his chances of contending at Augusta National. As such, he hasn't set himself any targets for the tournament.

He said: "I'm not a goal setter. I try to play the best shot I can wherever I am in the world.

"I wish I was a good enough player that I could tell people I'd be in contention, but I'm not at that level unfortunately," he added.

"But I'll be going over there to give it 110% and see what happens."

Many experts believe that Lawrie is playing the best golf of his career, and the Aberdonian remains confident in his game despite playing down his Masters expectations.

Referring to his season thus far, he said: "Everything has just been a wee bit better.

"I've been putting a little better, mentally I've been quite good, I've been swinging it well and hitting it a bit further."

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Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x