Danny Lee has failed to convert confidence in his game to the golf course at the latest stop on the PGA Tour as he opened the AT&T National with a seven-over par 78.

Last week, Lee, who has made nine of 15 cuts this season, said he felt some low scores and good finishes were just around the corner, but they may have to wait at least a week after a bogey-laden round at Congressional in Maryland this morning (NZT).

The 21-year-old, who is 148th on the FedEx Cup Standings, carded seven bogeys - two on the front nine and five coming in - and no birdies to be in a share of 108th place in the field of 120 on a day of tough scoring at the course which hosted last year's US Open.

At this stage the projected second cut is around six-over par, meaning Lee will probably have to go under par in tomorrow's second round if he's to make the weekend.

American Bo Van Pelt leads by a stroke after opening with a four-under par 67.

Meanwhile, Tim Wilkinson has experienced the highs and lows of golf in the space of his opening 18 holes at the United Leasing Championship in Indiana on the second-tier United States tour.

Wilkinson had an eagle and a whopping seven birdies but also two bogeys and three costly double bogeys in a one-under par 71 that included just five pars.

Wilkinson, who is 45th on the order of merit, was five-under through 14 holes but dropped four of his shots across the final four holes. He is in a share of 33rd place after the first round, six shots back from American Omar Uresti who opened with a seven-under 65.

In Europe, Michael Campbell is off the pace after a one-over par 73 in the first round of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush to be in a share of 116th place.

The Irish Open champion of 2003, who last week finished tied for 60th at the BMW International in Germany for his best result of the year, had a double bogey, bogey and two birdies for his 73 on a day where scoring was not onerous.

He'll begin the second round eight shots back from the leaders, Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, who opened with seven-under par 65s at the first Irish Open in Northern Ireland since 1953.

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