Golf: Campbell, Stenson set Players Championship pace

GUT KADEN, Germany, - US Open golf champion Michael Campbell continued his rich vein of form by shooting a flawless seven-under-par 65 in the rain-affected Players Championship of Europe first round.

The New Zealander shared a one-shot lead with Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

Campbell's driving accuracy and total concentration again reaped rich dividends as the 36-year-old racked up seven birdies in much the same way as he was able to overcome Tiger Woods at Pinehurst to claim his first major title.

"I had the mind-set 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 added: "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."

Campbell is not getting too carried away with his form, which includes a fifth place behind Woods in the British Open. "The game feels easy right now but I still respect it," he said.

"You think you've got it by the scruff of the neck but it bites you back very quickly."

After Thursday's washout, 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.

Italian Alessandro Tadini, Wade Ormsby of Australia and Britain's Bradley Dredge share third place.

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

Jose Maria Olazabal, highest finisher at the British Open at tied third, slipped to nine shots off the lead with a 74.

Barring more bad weather interruptions, the second round is planned for Saturday with a 36-hole finish on Sunday.

- REUTERS