MALMO, Sweden - New Zealand's Michael Campbell shot a four-under par 68 to be one shot off the lead after the opening round of the Scandinavian Masters golf $3.34 million tournament here today.
Campbell recorded six birdies and two bogeys on the Barseback course that left on the tail of
the leading trio of Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts and the British pair Marc Warren and Ben Barham.
Campbell, one of only two players in the field to have won a major, birdied four of his opening seven holes and then missed an eagle putt from 2m at the last.
However, the 2005 US Open champion could finally take some pleasure from his putting after just 11 putts in his first 10 holes and 24 putts in all.
"It is a little disappointing to hit it so close (at the last hole) and not walk off with an eagle," he said.
Campbell hit a three wood 252m to less than two metres from the pin but missed the eagle putt.
"I had a great start and was four under after nine but it's been frustrating the last couple of months like that, hitting the ball great and not really scoring," Campbell said.
"My mind was too full of technical thoughts so that's why I decided to back away from that and play more by instinct."
He said his game today reflected work his sports psychologist Belgium-born Jos Vanstiphout had done with his mental approach.
"I had more of a carefree attitude... so when I am standing over my putts I am thinking of nothing. I have a clear mind."
Campbell is chasing his first victory since winning last October's World Match Play Championship.
Stephen Scahill, the other New Zealander in the tournament, dropped three shots mid-round for a two over par 74.
- NZPA
