Former Open champion Paul Lawrie has made an earlier than expected departure from the Wales Open in order to rest a sore foot after a day to forget at Celtic Manor on Thursday.

Lawrie won the Welsh title seven years ago but was far from his best finishing with an eight over par 79 following a torrid opening round which included three bogeys, three double bogeys and just one birdie.

The 40-year-old's first round horror-show left him unlikely to make the cut at the 2010 Ryder Cup course and with injury flaring up the Aberdonian packed up his clubs.

"I got off to a terrible start with two bogeys in the first four holes," said Lawrie, who won the Open in 1999.

"I shot 79 and actually played alright but yet again got severely punished for any shot off line. My left foot has been sore again so I have decided not to play on and return home to rest it."

Elsewhere European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie carded a one-under round of 70 to leave himself four shots off the pace of leader David Frost.