KEY POINTS:
HOUSTON, Texas - New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell produced his worst round in more than two years to slump to equal last place on the opening day of the Shell Houston Open today.
Campbell recorded an eight-over 80 on the Redstone Golf Club course to end the round tied with American Ted Purdy in 141st place.
Included in Campbell's round were three double bogeys, five bogeys and just three birdies just a week before he heads to Augusta for the US Masters.
Campbell's score is his poorest since recording a similar 80 on the last day of the 2004 Amex World Golf Championship held in October that year at the Mt Juliet Club in Ireland.
Campbell's dismal Houston showing left him trailing 14 strokes behind the leading trio of Australian defending champion Stuart Appleby and the American pair of Kevin Sutherland and Johnson Wagner.
Six players, among them former British Open champion Justin Leonard, are next best on five under par.
- NZPA
