Cambo primed for NZ Open success
BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2007 New Zealand Open | General | 27 Nov 2007
2005 US Open Champion and tournament favourite Michael Campbell has already shrugged off the memories of missing the cut at last week’s MasterCard Masters and is looking forward to this week’s Michael Hill New Zealand Open, teeing off on Thursday at The Hills GC in Arrowtown New Zealand.
“It’s history now. Every week is a new week for us and looking at my form over years, even since I was an amateur, my form has been hot and cold. I missed five cuts before winning the US Open,” Campbell said when questioned about his horror 12 over par 84 last Friday.
“The point of power is in the present time and right now I’m here and looking forward to playing this week. As a sportsman you go through good times and bad times, and hopefully you learn from the bad times. Once I get through this barrier I think I’ll be an even better player.”
Comforting news for Campbell’s legions of fans who will be willing one of the countries most loved sportsmen to go one better than last year and win the national open this week. The Hills course hosts the tournament for the first time and the event here also represents the first time New Zealand’s National Open has been played on the South Island since 1985.
The par 72 hole 6600m layout is one of the best golf courses in New Zealand offering spectacular scenery and a test for even the world’s top players which will include last weeks Masters runner-up Swede Daniel Chopra, Campbell, Australians Peter O’Malley, Peter Senior, Paul Sheehan, Kurt Barnes and Michael Sim.
O’Malley in particular has a great record in New Zealand and comes into the event in fine form after shooting two final rounds of 67 last week to finish fourth at the MasterCard Masters behind Aaron Baddeley, Daniel Chopra and Stuart Appleby. O’Malley’s record in New Zealand includes winning the 1995 New Zealand Open at The Grange, the 2002 Clearwater Classic and the 2005 NZ PGA in a play off with Steven Bowditch.
The affable aussie was headed out to play on the course for the first time today.
“I just enjoy playing here. I think I’ve played every New Zealand Open since I’ve been a pro. I haven’t played this course but I love Queenstown, it’s a fantastic place so I’m sure the course is going to be really nice. I’ve been speaking to a few people about the course though and I’m told there is a bit of accuracy required and a lot of precision on the green which is good for me, I like that. From that I have been told it’s the sort of course that requires alot of shot making not just smashing away, so I’m looking forward to that.”
The New Zealand Open has twice been co-sanctioned by The European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australia, with Niclas Fasth of Sweden (2005) and Nathan Green of Australia (2007) emerging victorious.
The Michael Hill New Zealand Open has a rich history and an illustrious list of past champions, including seven Major Champions in Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, New Zealand’s own Sir Bob Charles, Kel Nagle, Ian Baker-Finch, Corey Pavin and, of course, Campbell in the year 2000.
The 2007 Michael Hill New Zealand Open tees off on Thursday.
Source – PGA Tour
