Golf: Campbell middle of the pack in France

Michael Campbell made a promising start to the French Open on the European Tour, sitting in a tie for 42nd place after the first round overnight. Photo / Getty Images.

Michael Campbell made a promising start to the French Open on the European Tour, sitting in a tie for 42nd place after the first round overnight.

The former US Open champion, who finished tied third in the event in 2006, carded an even par 71 at Le Golf National Golf Club to lie six shots back from leader Christian Nilsson of Sweden.

Campbell made a bright start and was three under through eight holes to be in a share of eighth place, but a double bogey on 15 and a bogey on 17 undid the good work.

Across the Atlantic, New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee had a disappointing start to the Greenbrier Classic on the PGA Tour.

The 21-year-old Korean-born Kiwi fired a two-over par 72 to be well off the pace in a share of 112th place - nine shots back from veteran Vijay Singh who lit up the course with a 63.

Lee, who last week was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard for the second time in 2012, is currently 150th on the Fed Ex Cup standings and is projected to drop three places to 153.

On the Japan Golf Tour, Auckland professional Richard Lee signed for a one-over par 73 in round one of the Nagashima Shigeo Invitational to be tied 61st and eight shots back from the leader Kyoung-Hoon Lee.