Golf: Campbell's woes mystify Funk

Michael Campbell. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran Fred Funk marvelled at the sight six years ago of Michael Campbell taming Pinehurst No. 2 to capture the US Open.

But today Funk could hardly believe his eyes when Campbell snap-hooked his drive at the opening hole on the first day of the US Open at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.

Campbell had been `flushing' the ball on the nearby practice range ahead of his 7.33am tee time in the company of the 55-year-old Funk and amateur David Chung.

On the he seemed to be in good spirits when he jovially waved to fellow US Open winner, Ernie Els from the course as the South African crossed in front of the first tee making his own way to the range.

Campbell was last to tee off with the USGA official starter announcing: "From New Zealand and the 2005 US Open champion, Michael Campbell."

But there were then sighs of amazement and volunteer ball spotters, standing at the back of the tee, waved their directional markers left.

In fact, Campbell's ball found the rough less than 200 yards from the tee and he wasted little time chipping back to the fairway before Funk and Chung had reached their own drives much further down the fairway.

The bogey five was the first of six dropped shots for Campbell in his 13th US Open while he did manage two birdies to sign for a four-over par 75, 10 strokes behind Northern Ireland's impressive Rory McIlroy.

The round continued Campbell's trend of never breaking 70 on the first day of a US Open since making his debut at Oakland Hills in 1996.

Funk, the veteran of 21 US Opens and popular Maryland native, had kind words about the New Zealander who struggles to take his good form on the range, to the first tee.

"I've known Michael a long time and he's friends with everybody, and he's just a great guy," said Funk.

"I know he hasn't been playing that great recently, and it seems that his ball flight has changed since he won at Pinehurst.

"He's hitting a `low heater' all the time now and that's different to how I remember he played.

"That shot he played off the first tee just amazed and when that happens, it leaves you wondering where did that come from.

"But to Michael's credit he battled on and he and I walked off with the same scores - 75s.

"Though with Michael you wouldn't know whether he's shot a 75 or a 65 or he's 18-over par or 18-under par, as his demeanour never changes

"But he's a great guy and the thing that struck me more than anything today is that he's not hitting the same way he hit it to beat Tiger at Pinehurst.

"He used to send the ball up pretty high but that's not the case now."