Campbell's hot streak continues

US Open champion Michael Campbell’s rich vein of form continued in the delayed first round of the Deutsche Bank Championship in Hamburg.

Thursday’s play was completely washed out after heavy rain overnight and throughout the morning left parts of the Gut Kaden course under water.

The intention was still to complete 72 holes however, with the halfway cut made for the top 50 players instead of the usual 70, and 36 holes to be played on Sunday.

Play began on schedule this morning and Campbell cruised to a seven-under-par 65 to share the clubhouse lead with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

The New Zealander carded seven birdies and no bogeys in a flawless round, continuing where he left off in last week’s Open.

“The game feels easy right now but I still respect it,” said Campbell, who finished fifth at St Andrews, a month after winning his first major title at Pinehurst.

“When you think you have this game by the scruff of the neck it bites you back very quickly.”

Starting from the 10th, Campbell missed a three-foot birdie putt on his opening hole but quickly made amends from 25ft on the next.

That was the first of a hat-trick of birdies as he went to the turn in 32, three more coming from close range on the front nine.

Playing partner Marcel Siem of Germany delighted the home crowds with a 67 to share third place on five under, alongside Korea’s KJ Choi who also won a Rolex watch as the first player to eagle the par five 17th.

That had not been the first eagle of the day however, Stenson holing his approach to the 10th, his opening hole, from 112 yards.

“I didn’t see it go in because the pin was tight behind the bunker but I almost did it again on the next, the ball span back towards the hole but stopped two feet short,” said Stenson, winner of the inaugural Heritage tournament last year at Woburn.

“After that I lost some momentum but I finished nicely with birdies at the last two holes and I’m very happy.”

Former Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer, winner of 11 tour events on home soil and fifth at St Andrews on Sunday, could only manage an opening 72 to lie seven shots off the pace.

Double US Open champion Retief Goosen returned a two-under 70 while John Daly struggled to a 74.