Lawrie won the Open Championship at Carnoustie in 1999

Four more golfers have dropped out of the Wales Open at The Celtic Manor.

British duo Paul Lawrie (foot) and David Howell (ankle), Spain's Pablo Martin (hand) and South African Anton Haig (neck) withdrew after round one.

Ryder Cup trio Robert Karlsson, Oliver Wilson and Soren Hansen, and Dane Soren Kjeldsen, pulled out in the week while Christian Cevaer withdrew mid-round.

The venue stages the 2010 Ryder Cup and European captain Colin Montgomerie and US skipper Corey Pavin are playing.

Lawrie, Martin and Haig were among the back-markers after the opening round - they scored 79, 82 and 80 respectively - but Howell's exit was a big disappointment for the Swindon golfer as it came after a one-over 72.

Cevaer, who won the European Open on Sunday, dropped out on the 12th hole of the first round after feeling dizzy.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn shared the overnight lead with David Frost, Alan McLean and Nick Dougherty on five-under-par.

The event features only three of the world's top 50 golfers with England's Ross Fisher being the highest ranked at 23.

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