Paul Lawrie right on track in Wales

Paul Lawrie today returned to the scene of his last victory and hauled himself out of a slump before rain suspended play in Wales.

The delay stretched to two hours, the players being told to prepare for a 3.40pm resumption. It was touch and go therefore if the opening round would be completed tonight.

1999 British Open champion Lawrie, winner of the Wales Open five years ago, has missed seven of his last nine halfway cuts but he began at Celtic Manor with a four-under-par 65.

It made Lawrie the early clubhouse leader along with Australian Brett Rumford, who made news last Sunday by racing round Wentworth in less than two hours at the BMW PGA Championship.

This time Rumford took more than twice as long – even though he hit 12 fewer strokes.

The pair were one ahead of a group which included 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell and local hope Bradley Dredge, but defending champion Robert Karlsson managed only a two-over 71 and favourite Retief Goosen was just one better than that.

The European Tour’s first round of 59 appeared a distant dream for all the early starters.

Before its switch next year to the course on which the 2010 Ryder Cup will be played the tournament was again being staged on the par-69 Roman Road lay-out.

A year ago England’s Phillip Archer opened with a tour record-equalling 60 and Karlsson set new tour marks for 36 and 54 holes by opening 61-63-65.

Lawrie turned in 31 after picking up shots at the 11th, 15th and 18th, bogeyed the fourth, but then had two more birdies in the next three holes.

The Welsh challenge was without one of its leading lights, reigning European Open champion Stephen Dodd withdrawing before the start because of a migraine.

Sion Bebb, the 38-year-old son of former Welsh rugby great Dewi who made it through the Tour qualifying school at the 11th attempt last November, reached four after 10 holes, but a poor finish meant he had to settle for a level-par 69.

Dredge is hoping to become the first home winner of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, but on the eve of the tournament found himself defending his decision not to try to qualify for next month’s US Open on Monday.

“I just don’t want to do it and luckily I don’t have to answer to anybody,” said Dredge.

But the 33-year-old’s stance simply staggered Campbell, who two years ago came through the same qualifying to win the US Open at Pinehurst.

He was 80th in the world at the time. Dredge is currently 66th.

“I don’t understand it. I find it quite bizarre,” said the New Zealander. “It’s the sort of week that can change your life. Bradley is a wonderful player and he has had a great season so far. I’m sure he has his reasons, but I showed what is possible.”

As did Lawrie at the 1999 British Open. He qualified for that when he was ranked 159th.

By missing the halfway cut at Wentworth last week Dredge stayed outside the world’s top 50 and therefore to play at Oakmont would have to come through the 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath next Monday.

Darren Clarke will be there and so will a whole host of European Tour winners, but Dredge is staying away despite his fine debut at the Masters last month – he was only three off the lead with a round to play – and his performance at the recent Irish Open, where he lost a play-off to Padraig Harrington.

He has still to earn an exemption for July’s Open at Carnoustie as well, but a top-two finish this weekend could get him back into the world top 50 just in time to seal a spot there.

Just after Lawrie and Rumford had finished - and just as Colin Montgomerie started with two pars - play was suspended because of heavy rain.

Lawrie commented: “I changed putters this week and that was the difference. I’ve not been knocking in the eight to 10-footers.”

He used his new one for the first time on Monday at Carnoustie, the links where he won the Open eight years ago.

“I’m kind of wishing the Open would happen so I could get on with it,” he added. “You win a major and when it goes back there obviously people want to speak to you.”

Just before the stoppage Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez had his third birdie in four holes on the eighth, his 17th, and joined Lawrie and Rumford on four under.