KEY POINTS:
ZANDVOORT - Michael Campbell was headed straight for the practice putting green despite a solid two under par start on day one of the KLM Open in Holland.
Campbell battled strong winds and the occasional heavy shower to end the round just four strokes behind Holland's Rolf Muntz.
Muntz, who lost full playing rights in 2005, had to pre-qualify for the premier Dutch event being staged on the Kennemer course.
Two players, Denmark's Soren Hansen and England's John Bickerton, were next best on five under par with Hansen setting about cementing his current 10th place standing in Nick Faldo's European Team.
Campbell was out in the afternoon half of the draw, putting on a good display despite tough conditions when he birdied three of his opening four holes.
But the first of two three-putts dented the former US Open champion's progress when he three-whacked the par three, eighth hole.
Campbell then managed to get back to three under par when he birdied the par five 12th hole ahead of a second three-putt of the round at the next, the par four 13th.
Campbell ended his round with pars over the remaining five holes to end the day in a 14-way share of 13th place.
"It was pretty tough out there in the wind whilst we got some rain early on and that always makes it uncomfortable," he said.
"The good thing is that a two-under par 68 is probably the worst score I could have shot today and if it had not been for a couple of three putts I could have easily finished at four under.
"But I've got no real complaints and it was another day for being patient and I'm pleased I managed to do that.
"I still need to work on my putting and that's why I am heading to the practice putting green so hopefully this round will be my poor round for the week."
Fellow New Zealander Gareth Paddison also ended his round in red figures by carding a one under par 69.
Paddison was out in the penultimate group of the day and after back-to back bogeys at 13 and 14, he birdied two of his closing four holes on debut in the Dutch event.
- NZPA WGT bm ar kk