You just can't please some people. Michael Campbell waited 36 years to become a major champion - and now he admits that he couldn't wait to give his title back.

It would be overstating his logic to claim that Campbell's big breakthrough, at last year's US Open, was a Pyrrhic victory but it did come at some cost to the Brighton-based Kiwi.

Golfers famously complain about Ferrari syndrome, which effects players who, after years of toil, suddenly find the rich trappings of success can have a dangerous side-effect on their form. Campbell isn't the sort for fast cars but he knows the condition and with the exception of a top five finish at last year's Open, his recent results have certainly failed to underline his US Open promise.

He finally relinquished the title he won at Pinehurst last month, missing the cut in his defence for good measure. And Campbell admits that a weight has been duly lifted from his shoulders.

"I don't think I was conscious about how much being a major champion adds pressure, every time you play," he said.

"The last few months have been intense and there's been quite a bit of pressure and tension, that seems to have gone now, I feel a bit more freedom.

"I don't want to sound like I'm moaning because it was a great year for me. I've loved it, both on and off the course.

"I enjoyed the responsibilities of being US Open champion but it's time to move on now - and this feels like a good place to start. My time as champion is over, I've got to do something big again now."

Hoylake's Royal Liverpool course was, in days gone by, the place were locals gathered to race their horses.

Sun-dried by unseasonally seasonal weather, the going is hard and fast this week, meaning Campbell should be value for his 40-1 overnight odds.

He waited until just after 1pm to spring from the traps yesterday, by which time a clutch of players had already returned to the clubhouse clutching cards to be proud of.

Murky early morning conditions had been burned away by the sun and this old brute of a course had suddenly become boringly benign.

Campbell started steadily with four consecutive pars before gaining a shot, dropping a shot and then earning it back before the turn.

Another birdie, on the par three 13th, was the highlight of an otherwise flawless back nine, with Campbell also producing a brilliant shot from the rough on the 18th to secure a two-under par 70.

He sits just four shots back from leader Graeme McDowell, whose bogey-free 68 set the first round standard.

But there are a host of big-name players between them, in fact more than 30 players are within similar striking distance of the front-running Ulsterman.

"It was quite satisfying to come off the course with just one bogey," said Campbell.

"I like where I am at the moment, it's all going in the right direction. After a disappointing couple of months it is good to get off to a positive start in a major.

"To be within four shots of the leader, I can't have any complaints about that. But there are lots of good players bunched together, it's all still wide open."

Campbell also claimed the sharp showers that greeted the early starters probably made the course easier to play.

By the time he teed-up the leaden skies were bright blue and the fairways and greens were running at lightning pace.

"The best scoring conditions were early on, although Graeme teed-off later and obviously he's leading," he added.

"The rain took the edge off the course but it didn't really have any benefit for me.

"I'm a little disappointed that I didn't dominate the par fives - that's where you need to be scoring on this golf course."