Golf: Cambo and Tiger square off again in Ireland

DUBLIN - Michael Campbell will come face-to-face with Tiger Woods today, in their first meeting since he denied the American superstar the US Open title.

New Zealander Campbell and Woods will be among 13 major winners teeing up in the JP McManus Pro-Am at the Adare Manor course in Limerick, Ireland.

McManus is one of Ireland's richest people and met Campbell in 1995 when he sat down at Campbell's table following a European Open Pro-Am.

The Pro-Am, held every five years, is a two-day 36-hole fundraiser that has also attracted previous British Open winners, including Mark O'Meara, Tom Lehman, Ernie Els, Sandy Lyle and Ben Curtis.

Masters champions Fred Couples, Jose Maria Olazabal and Ian Woosnam will also tee up along with double US Open winner Lee Janzen, and PGA Championship winners Davis Love and Rich Beem.

Celebrities taking part include supermodel and keen golfer Jodie Kidd, and Real Madrid and England soccer star Michael Owen. Campbell and his family are being flown to the venue by helicopter

Campbell had a disappointing final round of 75 yesterday for a four-over tally of 292 in the European Open at the K Club, in County Kildare, venue for next year's Ryder Cup.

The US Open champion finished in a share of 26th place after a last-day effort that included five bogeys and two birdies, at the 16th and 18th holes. He was seven strokes behind the winner, England's Kenneth Ferrie.

"I did not play as well as I wanted to play but it has been a very funny last five days," Campbell said. "I played some great golf and not so good golf. My focus wasn't that great the whole four days and it cost me, but I am happy and looking forward to the Pro-Am, where I will sample the Guinness and celebrate a little bit, and then get serious again.

"It will be two fun days and then my coach [Jonathan Yarwood] arrives, so it will be back to the hard work before the British Open."

Despite his obvious tiredness, Campbell said he was pleased to have competed in the European Open, his first outing since beating Woods and the rest of the world's best players at the US Open.

"I was pleased to get back into competition but what I have learned this week is just how hard it is to try and back it up after winning a major.

"There is different expectations all around me, and my own expectations are much higher than they were. I'm looking forward to the British Open."

- NZPA