Recharged Campbell back on top

An absence from golf seems to have done Michael Campbell no harm as he took an early lead at the HSBC Champions after carding a six-under-par 66 on the opening day in Shanghai.

The New Zealander was bogey-free in making six birdies to claim the clubhouse lead alongside Yong-eun Yang at the top of the leaderboard at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Campbell, who has yet to win an event this year, believes a three-week break has proved crucial in his promising form at the event.

“Obviously I am happy but I’m also surprised,” said the 2005 US Open champion.

“I’ve played 18 holes since those three weeks and I arrived on Monday, played a practice game on Tuesday and Wednesday, so to hit six under today was a very surprising start for me.

“I had no expectations. This year I have put too much pressure on myself to perform and hence I haven’t won yet but hopefully this week will change things,

“Just coming to play and enjoy myself has given me the turning point to perform here.”

Meanwhile, Order of Merit winner Padraig Harrington maintained his good form as he steadily climbed the leaderboard to finish tied for second at five under.

He was joined by Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol, who putted consistently well and was only let down by a double bogey on the tricky eighth.

But it was not such a good day for world number one Tiger Woods, who finished six shots off the leaders on level par after a disappointing start where he hit a double bogey on the 11th, his second hold.

It took until the second, his 11th, before he finally moved into the red but bogeys on the fifth and eighth meant he had to settle for an opening round of 72.

Woods is the major draw wherever he goes in the world and China is no different, which obviously brings its own problems.

“We had a few distractions out there but that’s to be expected,” he said.

“They come out to watch the golf and a lot of them are not golf fans and haven’t been to a golf event and this is a new experience for them and it can be a little distracting at times.”

There was further disappointment for defending champion David Howell who, despite a good outward half on the back nine, shot 39 coming home to leave him at one over par after a 73.

Johan Edfors carded a four-under-par 68 but the Swede will have been disappointed after an eagle two on the 288-yard par-four 16th, his seventh.

Also on four under is South African Retief Goosen, making his debut in the event.

Colin Montgomerie finished three under par alongside Chris DiMarco, who had topped the leaderboard after nine holes but failed to get anything better than par after the turn.

After making a promising start Luke Donald, who also began on the back nine, slipped down the leaderboard after bogeys on the third and sixth holes and eventually had to settle for a two-under-par 70.

Despite enjoying one of the best years of his career, world number two Jim Furyk closed a disappointing one over par having managed just three birdies throughout.

Elsewhere, Paul Casey’s hopes of a HSBC double after winning the World Match Play at Wentworth got off to a bad start as he also finished one over.