Michael Campbell takes lead with opening 65

Michael Campbell's decision to ditch the putter he used to win the 2005 U.S. Open paid dividends on Thursday when he shot 65 in the first round of the French Open.

The New Zealander's six-under total put him two strokes behind leader John Bickerton of Britain.

"I changed my putter for the first time in two years," Campbell said. "The putter I used to win the U.S. Open and the World Matchplay last year has been rested.

"Today I found it so much easier to align the ball. I've had a frustrating couple of months with the putter but today I hit 17 greens and this time took only 30 putts.

"Putting is the most important part of the game. Tiger Woods is a good example of that."

Campbell said he would use his old putter again sometime -- he took only 10 putts for his last nine holes at Pinehurst last year when he held off Woods to win the U.S. Open.

His defence of that major title ended in a missed cut at Winged Foot two weeks ago.

"My mind was too bogged down with defending the U.S. Open. Today it was finally free," he said.

Bickerton's round was also down to improved putting as last year's Canaries Open winner equalled his career-low round of 63.

The 36-year-old Englishman changed his stance on the greens after "a flash of inspiration" while practising the day before.

Sweden's Joakim Backstrom was lying third, three off the lead, after fading to a 66.

While 46-year-old American Bobby Clampett marked his return to Europe after 19 years with a 71, 49-year-old Seve Ballesteros's latest comeback went badly.

Ballesteros struggled around the turn, dropping 10 strokes in five holes to card an 81, but the five-time major champion, who has won this event four times, remained upbeat after playing his last eight holes level-par.

"My finish gave me a lot of encouragement and I'm sure things will be a lot better tomorrow," the Spaniard said.

Tournament favourite David Howell came home in 42 shots for a 78, quadruple-bogeying the last by twice going into the lake.

Howell played alongside Jean Van de Velde (69), the man famous for his collapse at Carnoustie's final hole in 1999 to lose the British Open, who last year also found the water at the same 18th in a playoff, to miss out to compatriot Jean-Francois Remesy for their national title.