Scotland's Paul Lawrie is determined to silence any lingering U.S. Open critics with a strong performance at this week's BMW International Open.
The former British Open winner sparked much debate with a decision not to compete last week at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, given he automatically qualified for the seasons second Major.
Lawrie said his goal of returning to the European Ryder Cup team would be better served by sitting out the U.S. Open and focusing instead on this week's event in Germany.
Not one player finished the four days under par in San Francisco with the par-70 layout averaging 74.02.
Lawrie was kept so busy with corporate engagements the length and breadth of Scotland, he said didn't even watch a single minute of the tournament on television.
His absence from the U.S. Open saw him slip one place to third overall on the Ryder Cup points table, relinquishing the No. 2 spot to Justin Rose who finished in a distant share of 21st at San Francisco.
''I didn't make the decision because of the Olympic course and the way it was set up, but because I felt I had more chance of picking up Ryder Cup points at the BMW,'' Lawrie said. ''And here if I concentrate on making the cut and play well, the Ryder Cup points will take care of themselves.
Lawrie said the since arriving in Germany, he's been working only on his rhythm with only mixed results in the pro-am.
''And the way they have set up the course here is pretty tough,'' he said. ''The rough is up and there could be some lost balls. But I have been so well that I am not too worried''
