Lawrie won't be plain Peter for long

Tour winner Peter Lawrie has decided to 'rinngit' some sponsorship changes after rejecting a renewal offer from long-time backers Srixon.

The reigning Spanish Open champion, 34, turned up at the Malaysian Open with a logo-free black bag and a plain cap he picked up in a Kuala Lumpur department store for just 25 Malaysian ringgit — around €5.30.

Lawrie dances Spanish fandango in his Srixon days.After blasting a four under 68 at steamy Saujana, Lawrie explained: “Unfortunately, Srixon left it very late to get back to me with regard to the renewal of my contract and when it did come late last year it just wasn't that attractive.

“So I just decided not to go ahead with any renewal and besides I have a few deals in the pipeline that will soon be finalised.

“There is no point in representing anybody for the moment. The cap I bought doesn’t even have a ‘made in’ tag.”

Lawrie moved up to tied 21st, nine shots behind leader Danny Chia, as Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin hit his second 69 on the trot to trail by just seven strokes on six under.

Castleknock pro Lawrie used a full set of Callaway clubs to move away from the cut line after ending a four-year relationship with the Japanese giants.

Lawrie explained: “I had Callaway's when I started out on the Tour so I went back to them but the deal I am working on will be corporate sponsors rather than any equipment company, and it's going to be an Irish company.”

World No 93 Maybin, meanwhile, is gunning for maiden victory that could earn him enough world ranking points to join Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in this month’s WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona.

But despite drinking 10 litres of water, the Ulster ace was disappointed to wilt in the oppressive heat and close his round with back to back bogeys.

Tied for 10th, Maybin said: "I played really well for 16 holes and then I just got so tired at the end of my round. The heat and the humidity is just unreal and just saps your energy.

“It’s disappointing to finish the way I did, but I'm looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully, I can shoot a couple of good numbers and give myself a chance.”

Damien McGrane and Gary Murphy missed the cut but US Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim improved by 13 shots to make it on the mark after a brilliant 65.