Golf: Cambo makes solid start in Wales

Michael Campbell. Photo / Getty Images.

Michael Campbell has made a solid start to the ISPS Handa Wales Open opening with a two-over par 73 in tough conditions at the Celtic Manor Resort overnight to be tied 30th.

The 43-year-old, who is preparing to play the US Open at The Olympic in San Francisco from June 14-17, is six shots back from the leader Lee Slattery of England who opened with a four-under 67.

Campbell began his round on the 10th tee and made the turn one over par after two birdies, a bogey and a double bogey in strong winds at the Newport course.

He made back-to-back bogeys on four and five before making a late birdie on the 8th, his 17th, to climb into a share of 30th place.

It has been a year to forget for the 2005 US Open champion in 2012. Campbell has made the cut in one of the eight events he has teed it up this season.

But he has shown throughout his career that he can deliver moments of magic as if from nowhere. His most famous victory the US Open triumph at Pinehurst No.2, where he defeated the then World No.1 Tiger Woods, came on the back of five missed cuts on the European Tour.

Meanwhile, the Kiwis have got off to a slow start at the The Rex Hospital Open in North Carolina on the Nationwide Tour.

Steve Alker, who is 42nd on the Nationwide Tour order of merit, had an even par 71 at the TPC Wakefield Plantation to be tied 77th after round one.

Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson, 50th on the Nationwide Order of Merit, carded a two-over par 73 to be off the pace in a share of 119th place.

On the Japan Golf Tour, David Smail has opened with a one-over par 72 at the Citibank Cup at Shishido Hills to be in a share of 47th place while compatriot Richard Lee had a two-over par 73 to be in a share of 61st place.

In amateur golf, seven Kiwis will tee up tonight in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship in Kilmarnock.

They are Srixon Academy members Vaughan McCall, Ben Campbell, Mathew Perry and Blair Riordan, Daniel Pearce and Bay of Plenty reps Craig Hamilton and Sam Davis.