Golf: Campbell shares early lead in Germany

Michael Campbell

Gut Kaden, Germany - US Open champion Michael Campbell shot a flawless seven-under-par 65 in the first round of the rain-affected Players Championship of Europe to share an early two-shot lead with Henrik Stenson.

Campbell's driving accuracy and concentration again reaped dividends as the 36-year-old continued his rich vein of form to rack up seven birdies in much the same way as he overcame Tiger Woods at Pinehurst to win his first major.

"I had the mindset today and the hole seemed as big as a bucket," said Campbell.

"I'm focusing pretty much on every shot now. In the past I've tended to fall asleep for two or three holes." He said his driving has improved dramatically, which was another reason the change in his fortunes and one which carried him to victory at the US Open.

"I changed my driver three months ago and the difference in the stats is like night and day. I'm at least 12 yards longer and my accuracy has improved 40 per cent.

"If you drive the ball so well, that's half the course gone.

"I'm hitting 10 or 12 fairways a round. That was the key at Pinehurst. I hit 12 out of 14 in the first round and 10 out of 14 in the second.

However, Campbell is not getting too carried away with his form, which includes a fifth place behind Woods in last week's British Open.

"The game feels easy right now but I still respect it," added Campbell. "You think you've got it by the scruff of the neck but it bites you back very quickly."

Thursday's washout benefited Campbell, who said he had a chance to wind down after a hectic six weeks by "sleeping and watching a few movies".

Sweden's Stenson got straight into action by holing out with his second shot of the morning for an eagle-two at the 10th, his first hole, to set the early target.

Korean K J Choi, winner of the 2003 German Masters, pocketed a Rolex watch as the first player to eagle the long 17th to help him to a 67 and a share of second place with Germany's Marcel Siem.

Padraig Harrington, the last winner at Gut Kaden in 2003 and runner-up last year at Heidelberg, returned to action with a two-under round of 70 after missing the British Open because of the death of his father last week.

- REUTERS