TURNBERRY - Michael Campbell's playing partner at the British Open this week may give the troubled New Zealander just the fillip he needs to return to form after a shocker of a year on tour.
England golfer Paul Broadhurst says he will be doing his bit to help boost
Campbell's spirits as they play together over the opening two rounds of the Open at Turnberry, Scotland.
Broadhurst, 43, will tee off with Campbell and 1989 British Open champion, Mark Calcavecchia in the opening group of the 138th Open championship tomorrow evening (NZ time).
This will be Broadhurst's 14th British Open and while he is a good friend of Campbell's, he's never played alongside the New Zealander in competition.
"I've been friends with Cambo ever since he came onto the European Tour but the strange thing is that we have never ever played a competition round alongside each other.
"It's a good draw for me and I am sure Cambo and Mark Calcavecchia will say the same, and it would be a nice one to win having teed-off in the first group on a Thursday.
"I know Cambo has been struggling with his form and if someone of his quality is struggling then, it's news on tour.
"I noticed he shot a couple under the first day of the Scottish Open so he can't be far away and I've been a bit like that myself of late as my own game has been a bit up-and-down.
"But by winning a US Open as he did proves he can play this game at the highest level and hopefully I can help spur him on and he can do the same for me."
Campbell spent Tuesday playing a third full practice round in as many days and joined Australians Stuart Appleby and Tim Wood teeing-up at 7am before later in the day moving to the practice range.
Campbell disclosed it is also the first occasion he will tee off in the opening group of a Major.
" It's kind of bizarre as I was out at around 6am on Monday and then the draw came out showing that I was teeing-up at 6.30am on Thursday, so in many ways I will be used to getting out of bed early come Thursday," he said.
"Then once the draw came out I made the decision to go out and early today and get more used to playing as if I was competing in the first round.
"You get the feeling of the temperature at that time of the day and also how the course plays, as it plays a lot different at 6.30 in the morning than just a few hours later.
"The greens should be at their best and hopefully the conditions will be calm and we can take full advantage.
"I played Turnberrry 15 years ago in the 1994 Open Championship and it's a good test of golf.
"But 15 years down the track there is no advantage for anyone who might have competed as the equipment, the ball and the players have changed."
Campbell indicated he will wind-up his preparations playing nine holes on Wednesday ahead of the championship proper.
Josh Geary, David Smail and Mark Brown are the other New Zealanders competing in the Open.
- NZPA
Michael Campbell has had a rough 12 months. Photo / Martin Sykes
TURNBERRY - Michael Campbell's playing partner at the British Open this week may give the troubled New Zealander just the fillip he needs to return to form after a shocker of a year on tour.
England golfer Paul Broadhurst says he will be doing his bit to help boost
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