KEY POINTS:
KINGSBARNS - Michael Campbell found himself at the centre of a frustrating rules incident during his opening round of the Dunhill Links golf championship in Scotland today (NZT).
Campbell carded a four-under par 68 at the Kingsbarns course, one of three courses hosting the US$5 ($7.70) million event.
It left him lying four shots behind the leading duo of England's Ross Fisher and Denmark's Soren Hansen.
Teamed with Hollywood blockbuster star Samuel L Jackson, Campbell got off to a superb start when he eagled the par five 12th which he was playing as his third hole.
He hit a rescue club to 18 inches and rolled in the eagle putt.
But he was in trouble at the next hole, a short par three, with his tee shot missing the green and the ball coming to rest in a catchment area near the putting surface.
On closer inspection it was lying among some 50 divots.
"I couldn't believe the number of divots where my ball was lying and it was obvious that a member of Kingsbarns has been down to this part of the course practising his chipping," Campbell said.
He immediately sought a ruling and, not satisfied with the decision of the official, asked for John Paramour, the European Tour's chief referee.
Paramour could not attend the scene and Campbell spoke at length with him via a walkie-talkie.
"I tried to explain to John there is a part of the Old Course at St Andrews and on the seventh hole and in the middle of the fairway that is similar to the area where my ball came to rest at 13 that they have marked off and declared as `ground under repair'," Campbell said.
"But as much as I tried to seek relief, J P (Paramour) wouldn't grant it and said that it was just unfortunate.
"So it's just one of those things that you have to accept, though it wasn't nice to walk off with a bogey. It was a bit of shame but it's just one of those things."
After hitting a bogey at the last, Campbell walked off with his arm around Jackson, delighted with his effort.
"To shoot four under is not bad because I left a lot out there as I hit nearly every fairway and only missed two greens all day with one of those being the 13th where I had the trouble with the divots," he said.
"So four under is probably the worst I could have scored today."
Jackson enjoyed the occasion and was seen laughing and joking often with Campbell.
"Samuel was great and he's improved since last year and he's playing off a three handicap," Campbell said.
There were a few light-hearted moments, including at the first that Campbell and Jackson were playing as their 10th. One youngster holding a camera asked Jackson if he could have a photograph. Jackson responded: "I'm sorry, I don't have any photos on me."
However, Jackson took exception when one person called him Sam. "My name's Samuel, OK!," he said.
- NZPA
