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Campbell in Heaven on the golf course
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-09 09:01

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Michael Campbell has been waiting for a feeling like this, when the fairways appear twice as wide, the hole looks like a bucket and golf seems like the easiest game he ever played.

He last experienced this nirvana in the final round at Pinehurst No. 2 when he won the U.S. Open.

All it brought him Thursday was a 9-under 63 at Sherwood Country Club and a two-stroke lead over Darren Clarke in the first round of the Target World Challenge, a 16-man tournament that only counts at the bank.

But he'll take it.

Campbell made five straight birdies while playing an eight-hole span in 8 under, his round only ruined on the final hole when his 5-iron went over the green and he misread the par putt. That kept him from breaking the course record, although his disappointment didn't last long.

"Maybe tomorrow," he said.

Clarke was on the same wave, just not as long. He made two eagles on his first five holes and was 7 under through 13 holes before closing with pars for a 65. He also was thrilled, for no other reason that it was the first time in three years at Tiger Woods' tournament that he has broken 70.

"Usually, par for me on Thursday here is 82," Clarke said.

Woods was a gracious host by missing a slew of putts and having to hit one shot left-handed from under tree on his way to an even-par 72. Woods thought scores would be higher than usual because the rough is so thick, and he was surprised to see Campbell's string of birdies and record-tying score.

"He'll probably say this is the easiest golf course he's ever seen," Woods said.

Close.

Campbell attributes his great year to a better attitude, learning to think positive to the point where he thanks his bed each morning for a good night of sleep. His coach, Jonathan Yarwood, is at Sherwood and they worked out some kinks in his swing, which freed up his mind. Plus, he shot a 65 in the pro-am on Wednesday.

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