Golf: Cambo and Lee off the pace

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell has shot a one-over par 73 in the first round of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush overnight. Photo / Getty Images.

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell has shot a one-over par 73 in the first round of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush overnight (NZT) to be in a share of 116th place.

The Irish Open champion of 2003, who last week finished tied 60th at the BMW International in Germany for his best result of the year, had a double bogey, bogey and two birdies for his 73 on a day of hot scoring in wind and rain.

Campbell will begin round two eight shots back from the leaders Jeev Milkha Singh (India) and Grgory Bourdy (France) who opened with superb rounds of seven-under par 65 at the first Irish Open in Northern Ireland since 1953.

Singh was impressed by the huge number of fans who braved the elements to see the return of the Irish Open to the north.

Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour, New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee got off to a poor start to the AT&T National at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.

The 21-year-old, who is 148th on the Fed Ex Cup Standings, opened with a seven-over par 78 to be in a share of 108th place on a day of tough scoring.

Lee, who made seven bogeys in a birdie-free round, will begin round two 11 shots back from the leader American Bo Van Pelt who opened with a four-under par 67.

On the Nationwide Tour, Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson shot a one-under 71 at the United Leasing Championship to be in a share of 33rd place after round one.

The former PGA Tour player, who is currently 45th on the Nationwide Order of Merit, had an eagle, seven birdies, two bogeys and three double bogey at the Victoria National Golf Club.

He is six shots back from American Omar Uresti who opened with a seven-under 65.