Golf: Campbell's historic victory inspires team

Inspired by Michael Campbell's US Open triumph, the New Zealand golf team started solidly at the Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan yesterday.

The team shot a combined three-over par 219 for the best three counting scores on the first day of the championship in Toyota City.

Rotorua's Jae An, the leading individual at the Aaron Baddeley world junior event in Fiji last year, led the way for New Zealand with an even par 72.

He was joined by the Wellington pair of Aaron Leech with a one-over 73 and Perry Hayman with a two-over 74.

North Harbour 16-year-old Sam Shin had the non-counting three-over 75 as the New Zealanders finished midfield of the 14 competing nations at the Chukyo Golf Club.

Manager Kerry Fenton said the team were motivated and inspired by the brilliant performance from Campbell in winning Monday's US Open (NZ time) on the eve of their event.

"Perry Hayman was really fired up and it meant a lot to him as a young Maori player of promise who also hails from the Titahi Bay Golf Club, like Michael."

An had a double bogey when he went out of bounds on an easy par-five fourth hole but rattled home with a two-under 34 for his even-par start.

Leech mixed four bogies with three birdies in his 73 while Hayman lost three shots to penalties but was 2cm from a hole-in-one on the par-three third hole.

Shin was solid with one birdie and four dropped shots.

Defending champions US lead from Mexico, Argentina and England after the first of four rounds.

- NZPA