Lawrie, the 1999 champion, has had a mainly miserable time since his brilliant win at Carnoustie last year.

He emerged from obscurity to snatch the title in a play-off from the hapless Jean Van de Velde.

But a year on and it will be an Open Lawrie will want to forget after carding an embarrassing nine over par after 36 holes to almost certainly miss the cut.

The Aberdonian severely struggled in the first round and ended six over par.

And in perfect playing conditions on Friday he could not turn it around, with a double bogey on the 12th and a bogey on the 17th Road Hole.

Missed putts cost the 31-year-old dear but a defiant Lawrie said he would be back.

"I am very frustrated because I have not played that badly," he said.

"It is not my swing because that has been checked on video and it is not my confidence because I feel I can hole every putt I take.

"But for some reason they are not dropping and on a course like St Andrews you cannot expect to make the cut if you can't sort the problem out."

Disappointing

Lawrie insisted the wrist injury he suffered during a coaching session on Wednesday had caused few problems and he had grown used to the weight of being Open champion.

He was preparing for a quiet weekend but said he would return.

"It is disappointing not to make the cut because I felt quite good coming into the tournament.

"But I'll be back - you can be sure of that."

Lawrie has had a bad time in competitions since his amazing win last year.

Only a good showing in the Ryder Cup has given him comfort.