AKRON, Ohio – Thomas Levet, who won the Alstom Open de France earlier this year on the European Tour, has withdrawn from the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

Levet is nursing a shin injury suffered when the Frenchman jumped into the water by the 18th green after his victory. The Frenchman had to withdraw from the Barclays Scottish Open, the British Open and the Irish Open.

The starting field at Firestone is 76 now that Levet and Ross Fisher have withdrawn.

Paul Lawrie, who hails from nearby Aberdeen, is the last player from the United Kingdom to have won the British Open. So it was interesting that the 1995 champion found himself in Thursday’s leadoff group – and actually hitting the opening tee shot in the 150th anniversary event.

Lawrie, who came from 10 strokes off the pace to beat Justin Leonard and Jean Van de Velde in a playoff at Carnoustie in 1999, is believed to be the first former Open champion in recent times to hit the leadoff shot.

Lawrie’s hybrid found the fairway and he parred the first hole. The 41-year-old veteran, whose alarm went off at 4:45 a.m., went on to make five birdies, three of which came in his final five holes, to post a 69.

The round of 3 under marked Lawrie’s best start in 18 British Opens. Steve Marino, who was playing with Lawrie, also shot 69 while the third member of the group, Thomas Levet, finished with a 73. – Helen Ross

Who would have figured Gregory Havret would be 2-under through the first six holes and three-up on playing partner Tiger Woods? The 391st player in the world is the Cinderfella in Sunday's mix. Why? Well, one reason might be 80 putts in the first three rounds. The kid stared down Phil Mickelson and won a playoff at the 2007 Barclays Scottish Open and he's hanging in there today. It's just his fourth major, period. He missed the cut in two and shared 19th in the 2008 British Open. The only Frenchman to win a major? Arnuad Massy, who won the British Open in 1907. Thomas Levet was in that four-man playoff at Murifield in 2002 when Ernie Els beat Levet, Steve Elkington and Stuart Appleby. -- Melanie Hauser