Darren Clarke of Britain and New Zealander Michael Campbell were both impressed yet unintimidated by their first looks at Pebble Beach Golf Links, site of the U.S. Open starting on Thursday.

"It's a better course than it looks on TV," said Clarke, who holds a substantial lead in the European Order of Merit as he threatens to end Briton Colin Montgomerie's seven-year reign of supremacy.

"It's demanding but fair."

Clarke, after playing his first round at Pebble Beach on a glorious yet windy day at the Pacific coast course, is coming off a victory in the English Open.

"If the wind blows, it may be a disadvantage not having played here before," he allowed. "But if I can keep some of the form I had last week I can get in position to challenge.

"I can play a bit now and again."

Campbell, competing thanks to a special invitation tendered by the U.S. Golf Association, said the windy aspect of Pebble Beach was a positive element for him.

"I'm used to playing in these conditions where you might have to hit a 120-yard 5-iron or a 190-yard wedge when the wind is behind you."

The New Zealander, who fired a first-round 63 as he made a strong showing at the English Open, said he gave himself a chance to contend for the U.S. Open title, the second major of the 2000 championship season.

"I'm playing well. The more it blows, the better for me," said Campbell.

Another first-timer at Pebble Beach was a model of understatement when asked for his first impressions of the layout.

"It's a nice piece of real estate, as they say over here," said Padraig Harrington of Ireland.