Lawrie and Casey line up in Cologne

Published on 21/06/2012 00:00

Only 99 days to go to the Ryder Cup and only ten weeks to make the side – good news for Paul Lawrie, bad for Paul Casey.

Missing last week’s US Open was a calculated move by Lawrie as he tries to earn a second cap 13 years after his first. He dropped only from second to third in the points race and so the 43-year-old Scot is close to clinching his place as he returns to action at the BMW International Open in Cologne today.

Missing the San Francisco action was not part of Casey’s plan, however. After a setback in his recovery from the shoulder dislocation he suffered while snowboarding on Christmas Eve, the former world No 3 pulled out of the season’s second major.

At 30th in the cup standings he has no more time to lose. “I think I’m done with the recovery. I just need to get the golf game back now,” he said. “I still firmly believe I can qualify”

The 34-year-old’s aim is to “make a bunch of birdies and enjoy it. And from there just start cranking up the intensity and focus”.

Colin Montgomerie is back from commentating in America to try to re-ignite his career and will be at Sunningdale next week trying to qualify for The Open. Lawrie is exempt until he passes 60.

Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer, now 54, are also in this week’s field trying for a title won in Munich last June by Pablo Larrazabal.