Michael Campbell announces retirement

New Zealand's Michael Campbell. Photo NZPA / Ross Setford

Golfer Michael Campbell today revealed what might be the most important chapter of his life.

Campbell announced his retirement from elite golf one month shy of a decade since his most famous feat, victory at the US Open.

His triumph at Pinehurst No 2 in North Carolina matched Sir Bob Charles' 1963 effort in The Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, becoming the second New Zealander to win a major championship.

Any New Zealand golf fan, and a substantial number of Kiwis besides, will remember where they were on the morning of Monday, June 20, 2005.

When Campbell rolled in the three-foot putt to finish even-par on the 72nd hole, having been stalked by Tiger Woods on the back nine, the reaction was euphoric. In one sense, any weekend hack could have pictured themselves standing over that ball to tap in for victory, yet it was the sort of putt capable of causing petrifaction. When the ball sank, Campbell earned the respect and adulation dreamed of when honing his craft while avoiding sheep dung growing up on the Titahi Bay course in the 1970s.

Campbell won 15 times at the top level and was named 2005 European Tour Player of the Year before enduring a slump which, in 2013, saw American broadcaster CBS rank him the fifth-worst major winner in half a century.

His chat today with Radio Sport sounded like Campbell was reclining on a couch unburdening himself after an arduous year which saw the end of his marriage to Julie and the removal of what was left of his golfing mojo.

He spoke like a man unshackling himself from the trappings of fame that had engulfed him after his major victory. There was a candour which suggested he wasn't parroting the sort of lines he thought an adoring public might want to hear. This was a man taking responsibility for a few awkward incidents which recently muddied his world. He was striding forward as if he'd hit a one-wood sweetly down the first fairway.

"I've decided to put golf on the back burner and focus on other things," Campbell said from his home near Malaga in Spain. "In the last 18 months, my game hasn't come back and a separation and a divorce hasn't helped.

"I've been an absent father and I've now got more opportunity to spend time with my kids [16-year-old Thomas and 14-year-old Jordan], cooking them meals and dropping them off at school. It's a complete change.

"I recently read a book called Raising Boys and realised how important it is to have a father around. The first years of their lives I was away a lot doing my own thing, but now we have more of a bond than ever. I have no regrets walking away from the game.

"I have no motivation to play. I've spoken to a lot of friends and they said, 'be proud of what you've done, don't beat your head against a brick wall'."

Campbell will focus on his golf academies - he hopes to open one in New Zealand - and television commentary work with Fox Sports Asia. The 46-year-old also said he will consider playing the seniors tour when he turns 50.

Campbell said advice given to him post-US Open by Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major winner, resonates more than ever.

"He said: 'now you're responsible to the game'.

"I thought I'd miss playing but I don't. It's weird but this has been a chance to reassess my life and I really enjoying giving back."