Worked as assistant pro at Banchory, near Aberdeen, Scotland, after leaving school at 17. The club named the 14th hole after him.

After winning The Open Championship in 1999, was made an Honorary Life Member of the European Tour and was also awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honors. In 2013, was again awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honors, this time for his work with the Paul Lawrie Foundation.

Awarded honorary law doctorate from Robert Gordon's University in his native Aberdeen.