Golf

U.S. Open champ shoots 63 to lead Tiger's event

By wire services
Published December 9, 2005

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Michael Campbell shot 9-under 63 for a two-stroke lead over Darren Clarke in the first round of the Target World Challenge, a 16-man tournament hosted by Tiger Woods.

Campbell, who won the U.S. Open in June, had five consecutive birdies while playing an eight-hole span in 8 under. His only blip was on the final hole, when his 5-iron went over the green and he misread the par putt.

"I walked on the first tee and felt great about me as a person and my golf game," he said. "Every shot that I hit was pretty good. I just felt like I could do it over and over again."

Clarke had two eagles among his first five holes and was 7 under through 13 before closing with pars for 65. Woods missed several putts and had to hit one shot left-handed from under a tree on his way to shooting 72.

VOLVO MASTERS OF ASIA: Shiv Kapur and Andrew Buckle shot 6-under 66 to lead by one in Bangkok, Thailand. Kapur had eight birdies and two bogeys. Buckle had six birdies and no bogies.

DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP: Phillip Archer birdied No.17 and No.18 for 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead in Nelspruit, South Africa. Rain allowed only half of the 150-man field to finish, and Charl Schwartzel at 6 under through 13 and Jean Hugo at 5 under through 12 threatened the leader. Ernie Els, in his second tournament since a 41/2-month layoff with a knee injury, was 1 over through 13.

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS: Nick O'Hern had eagles at Nos.7 and 14 to shoot 8-under 64 for a three-stroke lead in Melbourne.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE PRO-AM: The Champions Tour event Feb.24-26 at the TPC of Tampa Bay is offering holiday ticket packages through Dec.30.

The package is $125 and includes two weekly badges, two rounds of golf (not including a $30 cart fee), two one-day upgrades to three hospitality areas and a Bloomin' Onion Card. There also are two-for-one weekly badges for $65.

For details, call 813 265-4653 or go to www.outbackproam.com

SINGAPORE - Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer will pair up today for Day 1 of the Lexus Cup.

"It'll be great to team with her as a partner," Sorenstam said a day before the Ryder Cup-style tournament that pits Asia's best against an international team.

Last month during the first round of the ADT Championship, Sorenstam and Creamer had a dispute about Sorenstam's tee shot at No.18. The ruling went Sorenstam's way, angering Creamer.

[Last modified December 9, 2005, 01:19:17]