KEY POINTS:
New Zealand golfers Michael Campbell and Tim Wilkinson were well off the pace in the first round of the Players Championship in Florida today.
Campbell sat right on the cut line with his two-over 74, while left-hander Wilk inson will need a stunning round to keep his chances alive after posting 77.
Tied for 70th and eight shots from leader Sergio Garcia, Campbell's round leaves him sitting halfway in the field of 140, while Wilkinson finished in a tie for 111th.
Both players were plagued by bogies throughout, but Campbell was able to keep the damage in check with two birdies on the front nine and another on the notorious 17th.
The par three island green was a graveyard for 19 balls today, including that of South African Ernie Els.
"I think they should blow it up," Els said afterwards.
"Everything you worked for in 4-1/2 hours, in one shot it's all gone."
Spain's Garcia completed his round early, before the wind got up at the Sawgrass course.
He had seven birdies and one bogie to finish six under-par on 66, two shots ahead of locals Kenny Perry and Paul Goydos.
- NZPA