Campbell capitalises on rich form to share the lead

Thursday's play was completely washed out, after heavy rain overnight and throughout the morning left parts of the Gut Kaden course under water. The intention was still to complete 72 holes, however, with the halfway cut applying to the top 50 players instead of the usual 70, and 36 holes to be played on Sunday.

Campbell cruised to a seven-under-par 65 to share the clubhouse lead with Sweden's Henrik Stenson, the New Zealander compiling seven birdies and no bogeys yesterday.

"The game feels easy right now but I still respect it," said Campbell, who finished fifth at the Open last week, a month after winning his first major title at Pinehurst. "When you think you have this game by the scruff of the neck it bites you back very quickly."

Elsewhere, the American Craig Stadler shot the first sub-par round of the Senior British Open - a three-under-under par 68 - to open up a two-stroke lead on the second day at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club's Balgownie links. Although the impression gained from the scoreboard was that conditions were easier than the windswept first day, Stadler stressed playing conditions had been just as tough.

"I hit the ball much the same as I did in the first round," he said. "The difference for me was that I didn't make the same mistakes as I did yesterday."

Stadler, 53, who was player of the year on the American over-50s circuit last year, added: "I'm not playing great but I'm not playing badly either. Nothing spectacular. Just solid."