• Trophee Hassan II, Round One

Lawrie flies into lead with a pair of eagles

Peter Lawrie was on red-hot form with the putter © Getty Images

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Peter Lawrie struck two eagles as he swept into the lead at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco with an opening round of 64.

Lawrie's eight-under-par round also featured five birdies and a single bogey to move three strokes clear of the chasing pack, comprising of defending champion Rhys Davies, Indian Shiv Kapur and England's John Bickerton on five-under.

"I got off to a great start with an eagle at the 10th hole. After that I played lovely, gave myself lots of chances and made one stupid bogey," Lawrie said.

"I think we got very lucky with the draw to be honest. The wind calmed down on the back nine, and the front nine - the windier nine - was when the wind was dying down a bit."

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell rediscovered his touch from seemingly nowhere to find himself in contention. The New Zealander, who won his sole major title in 2005 at Pinehurst, has struggled horribly with his game in recent years - missing the cut in five of six events on the European Tour so far in 2011 and earning less than £2,600.

But the current world No. 827 at least started his latest tournament brightly around the Golf du Palais Royal course, finding six birdies and just three bogeys to card a three-under round of 69.

"I can take a lot of confidence from this score," said Campbell. "It's been a real struggle for me the last couple of years, struggling with injuries and what-not, so to finally get a good score under my belt is good.

"This game is all about confidence and once you get a couple of good rounds under your belt the game gets a little easier."

Welshman Bradley Dredge and Scot Peter Whiteford were two players level with Campbell after 18 holes - with the latter avoiding a bogey throughout his entire round - although both were playing the other course being used over the first two days, the par 71 Golf de L'Ocean.

Englishman Robert Rock, Welshman Liam Bond and Scot Richie Ramsay were among a number of players at two-under - where they were joined by French duo Gregory Bourdy and Sicilian Open victor Raphael Jacquelin.

Darren Clarke was another player to finish at two-under, the Northern Irishman dropping a solitary shot all round (on the eighth - his 17th) on the way to an encouraging opening round.

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