Mark Lawrie: “I’m not surprised by Mito; These are life decisions and you have to respect them”

Mark Lawrie is the Director of R&A for Latin America and the Caribbean, golf’s most traditional entity. From this position, the Argentinian has played a key role in the operation and development of the Latin American Amateur Championship, the most important tournament in the region and which this year in Puerto Rico awards the winning places at the Masters of Augusta. , the British Open and the United States. Open. , among other benefits.

How have you seen the LAAC evolve over the years?

It was very positive. I hoped it would be a championship that would make a difference for our region, but we had to walk the path and translate it into concrete and positive results. Today, after the eighth edition, we can say with some peace of mind that many of the goals we set ourselves at the start of this experience have been achieved. Which obviously became the number one event in Latin America, there’s no doubt about it, and this year too we entered the US Open as the third Major for the winner. I think it is more than clear that it has evolved and reached a point that I will not say unexpected, but that it meets all expectations.

Chile is the country with the most tournament winners. What is your analysis of the influence of Chilean golf and its players?

My mother is very happy, because she is Chilean. She is always happy when a Chilean wins. I think what happened for Chilean golf was very good, because there was a moment of very good work by the federation with players who proved that they could win championships of this caliber, and can -to be with a Super star like Joaquín, who today is the star that illuminates many golfers in South America. The importance is marked by the facts: being able to win the championship and make the superlative transition that Joaquín made to professional golf clearly shows you that the objectives in terms of what Chile and the federation expected are more than met.

Were you surprised by the decision that Niemann should go to LIV?

Yes, I will not deny that I was surprised. I believe that Joaquín is a player with exceptional conditions who was going to go on to win tournaments on the Tour and that he was certainly a player who had well-founded expectations that he was going to win. majors. I hope politics doesn’t get in the way of a player in these great conditions and that things line up so that someone like Joaquín Niemann can fulfill a bit of the dreams of many in our region. It is very important that players in our region can win majorsbut it is important, in order to win them, that they can play them.

Do you think that in the future the LIV and the PGA will be able to coexist?

These are personal opinions. Today, we obviously face an uncertain and complex scenario. I think all of us who love golf with a passion and love golf for good, hope this gets resolved. Golf is too important and marks the lives of many people in such a decisive way; it helps so many people and it’s such an important industry that it’s important not to waste any of that potential. Sometimes what we feel are sterile discussions. So, for the sake of guys like Joaquin and many others, I hope this leads to a solution that allows everyone to allow him to fulfill his potential.

Niemann just said that due to a political factor, an agreement had not been reached so that the LIV could give points for the world ranking. Does this seem doable?

The world ranking existed before the LIV and already had its constitution and rules. I believe that to a certain extent and with the necessary adaptations, it is still possible. We must be optimistic while remaining realistic in this situation.

This week Mito Pereira makes news for his possible departure to LIV. How did you take it?

I was not surprised. I think we all knew it was in the pipeline (Development). Also, I am aware of Mito’s great friendship with Joaquín. Regarding the LAAC, let’s not forget that Mito arrived as one of the big favorites of the first tournament, in Pilar. He arrived as one of the great players in the region… These are life choices, I think you have to respect them. Afterwards, whether we agree or not, it takes second place, because everyone lives their life as they see fit and I think that must always be respected. I imagine that they will make their assessments and their analyzes with their teams and that they will make decisions after having assessed all the issues.

Niemann said the PGA was aimed at older audiences and the LIV was aimed at young people. What are the more traditional entities, including the one you represent, doing to bring this youth closer together?

First and foremost: I think it’s hard to assume that a formula is successful until a certain amount of time has passed. With that, what I’m saying is that I have no reason to think LIV is good or bad, but I can’t make a value judgment until three, four, or five years have passed before being able to give you a well-founded opinion. Otherwise, I tell you an opinion based on feelings of something that can be seen for a few minutes on television. I think it would be unfair to prejudge. At least in my case, I like to give my opinion based on a process that has been going on for a while and proves that as a formula, it works. Nowadays, it doesn’t make sense to compare one tour with another tour. Time must be allowed for this process to be validated and to make an opinion judgment at the appropriate time.

When will LAAC return to Chile?

I don’t think it will take long. Chile is still a very attractive place. Obviously we are trying to think of a balance in terms of presences throughout the region, but I think that Chile is definitely a country that we will return to. It is always present as an alternative.