Golf: Campbell makes hot start after long break

New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell returned from a five-week absence to muscle his way straight into contention with a five-under-par opening round of 67 at the British Masters this morning (NZ time).

Campbell recorded an eagle and five birdies at The Belfry to be one stroke behind the leading duo of Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke and Sweden's Peter Hanson.

The reigning US Open champion shares third place with England's Paul Casey and Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin.

It was easily Campbell's best effort in 15 rounds of competition this year, on either side of the Atlantic.

Despite not competing since last month's US Masters, Campbell, who was fighting a heavy cold, started with a rush when he eagled the par-five, third hole after holing a 25-foot putt.

He birdied the fifth and six holes, then moved to five-under with birdies at 10 and 12 before an indifferent three holes starting from the 14th where he went bogey, birdie and bogey.

Campbell, who finished third in this tournament last year, was satisfied with his comeback performance.

"I am disappointed I didn't finish off the round, but having not played competitive golf for four weeks or so it is nice to come back here and be amongst it," he said.

"I am very surprised really as I had a month off without touching a club since Augusta and then came here on Monday, so to shoot 67 is a pretty handy score."

Campbell arranged for his longtime coach Jonathon Yarwood to join him at The Belfry as the pair build for his Open title defence next month, and he quickly reaped the benefits.

"He's already ironed out a lot of creases in my game because after a month off a lot of things creep into your swing so everything is working out fine, so far.

"But the only thing missing today was match practice and that was evident on the 14th and 16th holes that I played pretty average.

"I just got a little tired as I have been drinking lots of red wine as opposed to going to the gym.

"I purposely took a month off as I wanted to get right away from the game as I just needed a break.

"I am ready to win a few tournaments and reach my goal and that is to win the European Order of Merit title."

Meanwhile, Clarke was the most surprised player at The Belfry.

A six-under 66, which was later matched by Hanson, was far from Clarke's mind yesterday when he had been on the brink of pulling out.

"The last thing I expected was to be sitting talking about a 66 to you guys at one o'clock today after the way I played yesterday," Clarke said after including an eagle and six birdies in his round.

Clarke's schedule has been unpredictable for some time as his wife Heather battles cancer.

He had to pull out of the Houston Open three weeks ago following a first round 68 and played badly in yesterday's pro-am.

"I talked myself into staying because it would not have been the right thing to do to pull out, not very professional.

"After the pro-am it was a case of breaking a few clubs or going back to the range and I chose the latter.

"My mind is obviously elsewhere and I'm preoccupied with other things and that sometimes seems to benefit my golf."

- NZPA