Just the second New Zealander to win a major, Michael Campbell became a national hero in 2005 when he came from nowhere to win the US Open at Pinehurst, holding off the great Tiger Woods to win by two strokes.
The 48-year-old retired from golf in 2015 and now concentrates on coaching the next generation of major winners through his Michael Campbell Golf Academy.
While visiting Dubai to play in today’s Swing Against Cancer Golf Series at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE), Campbell ran the rule over the runners and riders at next month’s DP World Tour Championship.
Michael Campbell: I think it was because of a conversation I had with Jack Nicklaus about 12 years ago after winning the US Open. Jack said: “Michael, well done on winning your first major, but now as a major winner you are responsible for passing on your experience to the young kids and grow the game globally.”
So ever since that conversation the thought stuck in my mind and four years ago I got this wonderful opportunity to open up my first golf academy in Marbella, southern Spain, and it’s been a great success and I’ve really enjoyed it.
My path right now is passing what’s up here (taps his head) to these young kids, because they are like sponges. It’s incredible, but it’s been a lot of fun.
I’ve never played it and I haven’t got time to play it while I’m here. But I’ve heard lots about it, I’ve seen it on TV obviously. I’ve seen guys play it in the Race to Dubai.
It looks very challenging. I believe Greg Norman-designed it and it’s a tough golf course.
Fleetwood at the Italian Open earlier this month.
Tommy’s always been a great player. I first came across Tommy when he joined six or seven years ago and I always rated Tommy the way he strikes the ball. A great ball striker. He needed to mature as a player and obviously he has the last few years or so.
He’s become a fine player, came close at the US Open this year, and obviously he’s had a great season.
It didn’t surprise me to be honest. After playing with him when he first came out I thought, “Hmmm, this guy’s special”.
Funny enough, on the way here from Madrid I bumped into Grant Fox in the airport. We spoke about Ryan and it’s been great to see him mature as a player.
I played with him six years ago in the New Zealand Open and he is a wonderful talent. But his game management was very poor, obviously it’s improved over the last couple of years as it does.
He’s improved as a player and it showed the last couple (of years), especially this year, he’s had a great season.
He hits it such a long way, he still needs to work on his short game, and pitching as well, but apart from that he’s definitely got a big future in this game.
Campbell and Garcia at the Greg Norman Holden International in 2001.
I think he’s been patient, and has had to be patient for such a long time. Sergio has been a great player for so many years, since he was 19-years-old and that shot from behind the tree back in 1999 (at the PGA Championship at Medinah).
He’s always been very, very talented, Sergio, he’s a great friend of mine and it’s great to see him win this year at Augusta and I think he also won just this week at Valderrama.
He’s had a stellar season this year. Hopefully he can win another major. He’s one of the best ball strikers in the world too.
His nemesis has really been his putting but it looks like he’s got that sorted out.
I think a player that’s a complete player. In other words a player who can putt, chip, wedge play, drive long and straight.
Their iron play has got to be precise, just as control wise with iron play. So the player that wins the DP World Tour has to have all his facets really in place to win.
Sergio is showing a lot good form, especially last week. Tommy’s going to be hard to beat. I think it will be out of those two – Sergio or Tommy.
* The DP World Tour Championship is once more a free entry event to attract a crowd of both golfers and non-golfers. To register for Free Fast Track Entry visit www.dpwtc.com.
