Thomas Bjorn exorcised a few demons when he took a two-shot lead in the Irish Open first round at Portmarnock, with a battling eight-under-par 64.
The Dane ironically chipped in from a bunker for birdie atthe second and birdied his 16th hole. He took three attempts toescape from the par-three 16th bunker in the British Open finalround on Sunday, running up the double-bogey that cost him hisfirst major title.
His nine birdies, with just one dropped shot, earned him atwo-stroke lead over playing partner Campbell, with Briton PaulBroadhurst a further shot behind.
Bjorn's 64 set the new course record at the revamped linkscourse, a remarkable achievement for the determined32-year-old, who threw away a three-stroke lead at Royal StGeorge's with three holes left, handing the title to rookie BenCurtis.
"I'm proud of what I did today, because this is not theeasiest of courses," he said.
"But I have strong belief in myself. Those things happen in major championships, that's why it's s tough to win a major. The bottom line is, I played some magnificent golf last week and I carried that on today."
Campbell holed a 50-foot eagle putt on the sixth but had tosettle for a 66 to stay on the Dane's shoulder, while Paul Broadhurst remained a further stroke off the pace on five-under.
Best of the Irish was Padraig Harrington, who contended strongly with a three-under-par 69, where he was joined by Brendan McGovern.
Meanwhile, Peter Lawrie and Damien Mooney carded 2-under-par 70s, and Damien McGrane came in on level par.
Britain's Mark Roe, disqualified in the British Open forfailing to swap cards with playing partner Jesper Parnevik andsigning for the wrong score, carded a three-under 69.
Jose Maria Olazabal, the 1990 Irish Open winner the lasttime it was staged at Portmarnock, bogeyed the last two holesfor a 70.
It proved to be a nightmare round for Darren Clarke, one of the pre-tournament favourites, who slumped to a disappointing 75, leaving him three-over-par.
Graeme McDowell and Michael Hoey came in on one-over, while Paul McGinley, Philip Walton, Gary Cullen, Gary Murphy and Noel Fox all ended up two-over-par.
Bringing up the rear of the Irish contingent were Clarke and Jimmy Heggarty on three-over, John McHenry and John Dwyer on four-over, and Leslie Walker on six-over-par.