Golf: Campbell happy with first round at Open

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Michael Campbell set his sights on claiming a second straight major with an eye-catching display on the opening day of the British Open golf championship overnight NZ time.

The United States Open champion birdied four of his closing five holes to end the day just three strokes behind leader Tiger Woods, winner of the British Open when last played at the Old Course in 2000.

Australia's Mark Hensby is next best on five under par and one clear of 10 players on four under par, while Campbell is among eight, including Vijay Singh, locked on three under par.

Campbell stepped onto the first tee decked out in black and sporting his "Mangopare" brand logo on the back of his Kia Kaha jersey.

He was square on his opening four holes before grabbing back-to-back birdies at five and six to jump to two under par.

The Kauri Cliffs golfer then bogeyed the seventh and was back to level par with a 12th hole bogey before sandwiching a three-putt bogey at the infamous Road Hole 17th between two birdies.

"Today was a bit of a funny round as I played the first 12 holes really poorly," he said.

"I was lucky to be even after 11 holes but I then hit a bad tee shot on 12 when I pulled it left into the bushes -- totally unplayable.

"It's going to be harder and faster as the week goes on."

Campbell said he was confident of shooting another three three-under par rounds.

Campbell said he spent Wednesday night watching a DVD of his recent US Open victory.

"My management group, IMG, organised a DVD for me to have a look at before I went to sleep last night," he said.

"It was very emotional, I even got goosebumps from watching it because it was actually the first time I had seen it.

"It was nice to see how I performed in front of the world's best and how I beat them."

Campbell, who led the 1995 Open here going into the final round before finishing in a tie for third, is unfazed by the heightened expectation that his promotion to major winner has brought.

"The last three weeks have been like a rocket ride and I've enjoyed all the accolades from my peers," he said.

"But now it is back to work. On Monday I drew that line between being US Open champion and preparing for a golf tournament."

Campbell said he got great support on the first day of the championship.

"It was fantastic to see so many Kiwis out here supporting me, and I got a real kick out of it. It was great.

"It was almost like playing at home as there seemed to be Kiwi flags everywhere, and it's nice to have support so far away from home."

The only other New Zealander in the championship, David Smail, shot a 73.

- NZPA