Lawrie

Fantasy Bob celebrates the contribution of fellow Aberdonian Paul Lawrie to Europe's fantastic victory in the weekend's Ryder Cup.  Lawrie's performance may not quite have got the accolades from the media that it deserved, focussed as they were on the heroics of Poulter and the late arrival of McIlroy. But Lawrie did what the team required when it mattered.  And did it with some style - returning the most comprehensive winning margin of the remarkable day. Whether or not Seve was looking down on him as he did it, Lawrie demolished his opponent in his customary unflappable style stunning the baying US crowd into a welcome silence when he chipped in at the 4th hole.  Weel done loon!

Lawrie has hinted he fancies the Ryder Cup captaincy when the event comes to Gleneagles next time round.  an outside shout maybe - but why not - after all he has won a tournament on the course itself.

Lawrie long ago joined the list of sporting greats to hail from Aberdeen, a list to which FB modestly adds himself.

Even without FB, it is an impressive list.  Some years ago when FB with son and heir visited Manchester United's museum at Old Trafford, they were interested to note that in the part of the museum celebrating United's greatest players over its history, there were 2 Aberdonians among the 14 players so honoured.  One was, of course, Denis Law.  The other though is more of test.  It is Scotland's answer to Beckenbauer - Martin Buchan, as skilled and elegant defender as Scotland has ever produced.

So, here is FB's Aberdeen XI.  Fa's Like Us?

Paul Lawrie - golf -  Open Champion 1999, Ryder Cup 1999, 2012
Denis Law - football - 55 caps for Scotland - 30 goals
Martin Buchan - football - 34 caps for Scotland
Ian Peebles - cricket - 13 Tests for England
Katherine Grainger - rowing - Olympic Gold Medallist 2012, Silver 2008,2004,2000
Jason White - rugby - 77 caps for Scotland
Chris Cusiter - rugby - 55 caps for Scotland
Stephanie Forrester - triathlon - World Duathlon Champion 2000
Ian Black - swimming - Commonwealth Gold Medallist 1958, Triple European Gold Medallist 1958
Peter Nicol - squash - World Champion 1999,  Commonwealth Gold Medallist 1998, 2006
Graham Leggat - football - 18 caps for Scotland.

Aberdeen's Finest