Paul Lawrie was the surprise winner at Carnoustie in 1999

Aberdonian Lawrie is back at Carnoustie - where he famously won the Claret Jug in 1999 - for The Open which starts on Thursday morning.

Lawrie is priced at 200-1 by bookmakers William Hill, and the biggest bet on him is only �25 each-way to be placed.

However bookmakers say a Montgomerie win at 25-1 would cost more than �1m.

We would be delighted to see Paul Lawrie win - we are on his side Graham Sharp William Hill

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharp said: "Despite his failure to make the cut in the Scottish Open last week, Monty is the man the punters want to back for The Open and his have odds tumbled to 25-1 from 80-1.

"Every other bet seems to have his name on at the moment, and we will certainly be handing over a hefty seven-figure sum to punters should Monty manage to win.

"The biggest bet is �300 each-way at 80-1, but it's the volume of smaller bets. Monty is to The Open what Frankie Dettori is to the Derby."

Socks off

He added: "We would be delighted to see Paul Lawrie win - we are on his side."

Lawrie is 150-1 at other bookmakers including Ladbrokes and Coral.

Lawrie won a dramatic Open play-off in 1999 after Jean Van de Velde blew a three shot lead going into the final hole with a triple bogey.

His tee-shot went in the rough, then he shot into the dreaded Barry Burn water hazard.

He even famously took off his shoes and socks and climbed into the Burn in an attempt to rescue his title hopes, to no avail.

Lawrie meanwhile shot six birdies on the final day to bring him up to six over for the championship, and won the play-off.

Lawrie comes into The Open after some good early play at the Scottish Open, but he fell away in the second two rounds.

Montgomerie, who has never won a golf major, won the European Open earlier this month, but missed the cut at the Scottish Open last week.

Richie Ramsay, Aberdeen's US amateur champion, is 400-1 with William Hill, and 1,000-1 at Coral.