Drummond aims high for Ryder place

Scott Drummond sets out at Gleneagles today to show he can handle his new-found celebrity status.

Scott Drummond sets out at Gleneagles today to show he can handle his new-found celebrity status.

From the depths of 435th in the world and after seven missed cuts in his previous eight events, Drummond won the Volvo PGA Championship with a dazzling display at Wentworth. After a week off to try to let it all sink in, the 30-year-old European Tour rookie returns for the £1.4m Diageo Championship.

"The expectation levels are higher from everyone," Drummond said yesterday. "But I am still me and I will just go out and do my best. Nobody wants to be a one-hit wonder but I'm trying not to put too much extra pressure on myself.

"I have always played with financial pressure, trying to get on the tour, but now it is a different pressure. It's a nice one to have.

"I saw a bit on the tour website which gave a list of what is going to happen to me and it said 'exempt until the end of 2009'. That was when it really sunk in."

In the Wales Open on Sunday Essex's Simon Khan, 255th in the world, beat the Ryder Cup hopeful Paul Casey in a play-off. The shocks just keep on coming.

"Once one person has done it it gives everybody that extra self-belief and they know it is not impossible," Drummond added.

One event he can target now is the Ryder Cup in September. "I am in a great position now (13th in the race for the 10 automatic spots) and I am aware that if I can string a nice few steady results together there is a chance."

With the US Open taking place next week, Paul Lawrie is the only player taking part who will also be at Shinnecock Hills.

Lawrie plays the first two rounds with Colin Montgomerie, who will be missing his first major since the 1991 US PGA.

The seven-times European No 1 was in the hunt for three days in Newport, but closed with a 74 and dropped to 15th. He is 20th in the Ryder Cup standings.