KEY POINTS:
Having reached what he thought was the pinnacle of his golf career and struggling to find the motivation to carry on, Michael Campbell recalled some kind words from Australia's Geoff Ogilvy.
Ogilvy's 2006 US Open victory, which came a year after the New Zealander had achieved the same feat, prompted Campbell to draw inspiration from past champions.
Having done that in the lead-up to this week's British Open, it was a newly inspired Campbell who shot a three-under 68 at Carnoustie yesterday to claim a share of third place after the opening round, three shots behind Spanish leader Sergio Garcia and one adrift of Ireland's Paul McGinley.
"There was a moment when I was watching a DVD of all the past champions of the Open, about two months ago and it got the juices going," Campbell said.
"Paul [Lawrie] is a good friend of mine and it was great to see him win eight years ago - that really inspired me.
"Geoff Ogilvy gave me a compliment last year when he won the US Open. He said when he saw me win the US Open the year before, it inspired him."
Campbell was in a five-way tie for third with reigning US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina, Austrian Markus Brier, American Boo Weekley and amateur Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland.
Tiger Woods shared eighth place with four others on 69.
Campbell said a tip from Fijian world No 6 Vijay Singh to work on his rhythm and routine had also helped him rediscover some form.
"The mistake I made was that to win a major was my ultimate goal," he said. "And once you do that in life, what's next? That's one thing I tried to do over the last couple of months is go beyond the US Open and win majors.
"It felt hard to get up in the morning and play but now I've got that fire in my belly. My mind-set now is I've got to win more majors."
Meanwhile, Ogilvy had a disappointing first round four-over 75 after striking trouble with a triple bogey on the par-four 10th when he hit the ball into the Barry Burn, which runs in front and along the right of the narrow green.
Garcia carded seven birdies and just one bogey on the way to a six-under 65, while McGinley had six birdies and two bogeys.
World No 1 Woods had three birdies, an eagle and three bogeys in what he described as "probably the ideal start".
He handled the tough last four holes, which include the brutal 456-metre par-four 18th, with ease.
- AAP
Cool conditions hamper Alker
A late start saw Kiwi golfer Steven Alker slogging it out in cooler conditions to card a three-over 74 on day one of the British Open.
Alker was disappointed to undo his good early round efforts with a pair of closing bogeys that left him in a tie for 78th, 11 shots behind leader Sergio Garcia of Spain.
"It was disappointing to bogey the last two holes," Alker said.
"I had good chances on 14 and 15 to make birdies but I missed five-footers on both the holes."
He then played what he called a sloppy shot on the 17th and had to lay-up on the 18th after being in the punishing rough off the tee.
"It was a disappointing day but, the good thing is, I still have three more days to go," Alker said.
"It was a long day out there and, in the cool conditions later on in the round, the ball was definitely not travelling as far.
"It was all a matter of slogging it out and, despite the rain, the course played great.
"I was pleased with my efforts early on and it was nice to pick up a couple of birdies so if I can do that tomorrow, as I am out early, I can work my way up the leader board and into the weekend and that's the goal now."
- NZPA
