KEY POINTS:
Michael Campbell's return to golf in the United States has started in horrific fashion after shooting a nine-over 81 in the first round of the Houston Open this morning (NZ time).
New Zealander Campbell, in his only warmup tournament ahead of the Masters at Augusta next week, ended a forgettable round at the Redstone Golf Club with triple-bogey seven on the 18th hole.
It completed a back nine that included five bogeys and left him second-last of the completed scores midway through round one. He was one-over at the turn.
The 2005 US Open champion has played little golf this season, managing just seven rounds of competition between finishing 70th in the Qatar Masters in January and withdrawing after an opening round of 84 in the Malaysian Open last month.
It was Campbell's first tournament in the United States since last August.
He entered last week's New Orleans Classic in the US but suffered a neck injury while contesting the pro-am and withdrew after just three holes.
In-form compatriot Tim Wilkinson opened today with a one-over 73 to be 10 shots behind early leader Adam Scott of Australia.
Wilkinson was third at the New Orleans Classic last week.
- NZPA
