KEY POINTS:
A late birdie couldn't conceal yet more pain for out of form New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell, who today shot a seven-over 78 on day one of the US Open in San Diego.
Former champion Campbell w as tied for 112th of 152 at the Torrey Pines Golf Course, 10 shots off surprise leaders, Americans Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman.
His day started badly with a double-bogey on the par-four second hole followed by a slew of bogeys - on the fourth, sixth, seventh, 10th, 12th and 14th holes.
The struggling Wellingtonian stopped the rot over the final four holes, including a birdie on the par-five 18th.
With the 36-hold cut likely to be eight or nine-over par, Campbell will have to shoot par or just over tomorrow if he wants to be among the top 70 and ties who make the weekend action.
He admitted he wasn't in the mental state needed to repeat his 2005 US Open triumph at Pinehurst.
"It's always nice to play in a major championship, but I'm being realistic here - my form going into this week wasn't that great so my confidence isn't as high," he told reporters.
"I've just got to battle through this and hopefully there will be a light at the end of the tunnel."
Campbell's main problem today was errant work off the tee.
"I missed some fairways unfortunately and it's deep stuff out there. You have to hit it out sideways and basically get up and down from 200 yards away."
- NZPA