PAUL Lawrie and Catriona Matthew, Scotland’s last two Open champions, are to help ensure the next generation of champions golfers emerge in this country.

Lawrie, who won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999, and Matthew, who lifted the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2009, have agreed to mentor up-and-coming talent.

The pair will also contribute to wide-ranging review of Scottish Golf’s performance programmes and player pathways during the winter along with other external stakeholders.

The review is designed to ensure the governing body’s resources are being used in the most effective manner.

“Over the years I have been very proud of the work my foundation has done in Scotland, helping players like David Law come through and win on tour,” said Lawrie.

“I am now looking forward to working with Scottish Golf to help mentor and develop some of the country’s top up-and-coming players.

“By working together and utilising all of the golfing experience we have in this country, we can help our talented young golfers achieve their goals.

“However, it is equally important to look to the longer term and ensure our best golfers continue to get the support that they need as the sport itself changes and develops.”

Matthew said: “I can’t wait to get started in this role and I’m incredibly excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“The game has given me so much over the years and I hope that by sharing my experience, and mentoring the next generation, I can give something back.

“I look forward to contributing to the review in any way that I can. There is a wealth of potential golf talent in Scotland and anything we can do to help identify and nurture that talent will hopefully help more Scottish golfers find success at the elite level.”

Scottish Golf chief operating officer Karin Sharp said: “It is very exciting to have Catriona and Paul on board and we are very much looking forward to working with them in a number of different capacities in the coming weeks and months.

“I can’t think of anyone more appropriate to help us further develop our performance programmes than two of Scotland’s most successful golfers. I have no doubt that the expertise and experience Catriona and Paul will bring to the table will be enormously valuable.

“Moving forward, it is vital that we are getting the right support to the right players at the right time and I’m certain that this new partnership will help us do just that.”