Trevor Immelman leads with opening 66

South African Trevor Immelman shot a 6-under 66 to take the lead after the first round of the European Open on Thursday, while newly crowned U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell struggled to a 74.

Campbell finished at 2 over after three straight bogeys starting at No. 16.

``I was very flat today,'' Campbell said. ``I've been on a high for the last 10 days or so and today was a prime example of not being sharp around the greens.

``My putting was very average. Basically, I wasn't there. My mind was focusing back to what happened two weeks ago, I think, and just wasn't on the job today. Hopefully the next three days I'll shoot low and be in contention.''

Defending champion Retief Goosen shot a 5-under 67, tied with Francois Delamontagne at one stroke back. Ireland's Gary Purphy and Jonathan Lomas of England shot 68s.

Goosen put aside the disappointment of his final-round 81 at Pinehurst 11 days ago, which he blamed on an alignment problem with his putting.

The South African birdied three of his first four holes here, rolled in a 35-foot putt for eagle at the 18th and parred every hole on his second nine.

``On the front nine I never really did anything. All of my birdie putts were really too far away to make anything,'' Goosen said. ``So the iron play wasn't that good on the front nine.

``I holed a few putts like the one at the ninth. But overall the round was pretty much just down the fairway, on the green and two putts.''

Immelman, who was fifth in at the Masters in April but failed to qualify for the U.S. Open, showed improved form on the greens.

``I putted really well, which hasn't been the trend lately,'' Immelman said. ``I had the last two weeks off and focused a lot on my putting.''

Ryder Cup captains Tom Lehman (75) and Ian Woosnam (76), struggled, while Padraig Hamilton posted a 7-over 79.

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