Golf: Brown cranks up rusty game

MUNICH: New Zealand golfer Mark Brown is backing himself over the next three weeks to wrap up his European Tour card for next season.

Brown started the first of three rich tournaments in Europe with a two under 70 on day one of the BMW International Open in Munich.

Brown shook off the rust that he said had formed on his game to record four birdies, including three in succession from his second hole in glorious conditions on the Munchen Eichenried course.

It left him six strokes behind leaders Welshman Bradley Dredge and Scotland's Peter Whiteford, the pair signing for eight-under 64s.

Brown arrived in the Bavarian capital lying 117th on the Race to Dubai money list with earnings this year of €87,425 ($152,830).

He is just two places shy of retaining his card, his two-year exemption for capturing the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic in India expiring in December.

Brown needs to win again or end the season inside the top 115 to retain automatic membership for 2011.

He can set about ensuring that as he's also in the next two events - the French and Scottish Opens.

"The main goal for me now is to try and keep my card and I've got three big events in a row where I can take a big step towards that goal," Brown said.

"My play has been steady this year without really doing much, so it's time to do something.

"I didn't have that much preparation, as I went to the Ascot races last week. So I came out well with three straight birdies, though I didn't play all that well on the back nine."

Danny Lee, who was playing in the group immediately behind Brown, also recorded a 70 with the fellow Johnnie Walker Classic winner making three birdies and just the one bogey.

Michael Campbell hopes he can finally turn out his horror run of poor form despite carding a two over 74.

"I hit some pretty decent shots out there but it's just that I'm still getting penalised badly for the bad shots," he said. "But there's some good positive signs and that's pleasing."

Included in Campbell's round were two birdies but twice as many bogeys. Campbell's score was the same as playing partner Fredrik Andersson Hed, winner of the recent Italian Open while Australia's Richard Green, who made up the three ball, recorded a triple bogey seven en route to a 73.

- NZPA