Lawrie out of US Open

Lawrie hopes to be fit to defend his Open title at St. Andrews

Open champion Paul Lawrie has been forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open, which starts on Thursday at Pebble Beach, with a groin injury.

Lawrie, who missed last week's Buick Classic with the same problem, said on Monday he has been advised to miss the 100th US Open rather than risk aggravating the injury.

"I have been advised by my physiotherapist to make sure the groin injury is completely cured before returning to competitive play, which requires rest and further treatment," he said in a statement released by his agent, IMG.

Lawrie said he hopes to return to a full schedule within the next few weeks and be fit in time to defend his Open title at St. Andrews, which starts 20 July.

The Scottish golfer, who dramatically won the Open at Carnoustie last year in a playoff against Jean Van de Velde and Justin Leonard, had been grouped with Jack Nicklaus and David Gossett in the first- and second-round pairings for the tough Pebble Beach course.

Thursday's event is expected to be the 60-year-old Nicklaus' final appearance at the US Open.