Golf: Campbell fears he's a bit rusty

Michael Campbell

Michael Campbell hopes he can rekindle the same devastating form that won him consecutive Heineken Classics at The Vines, when the Johnnie Walker Classic tees off in Perth today.

The world No 13 tied for fourth with American Vaughn Taylor in last month's Mercedes Championships in Hawaii, and the Perth event will be his first tournament since then.

During his break away from the game he moved house in Sydney and renewed his wedding vows with wife Julie in New Zealand.

Campbell believes he will be rusty for the event, which he won in 1999 when it was held in Taiwan, but will no doubt take something out of his emphatic 2000 and 2001 Heineken Classic victories at The Vines.

"Winning twice [here] before is obviously a golf course I really understand and do well in," the 36-year-old said.

"I believe the first nine holes have been changed, so besides that, I think the last nine holes at The Vines is one of the finest nine holes of Australian golf, especially the last three holes.

"It's the toughest three holes in Australian golf.

"On [hole] 16 there's a par three and you take the pin on the right hand side and just over the water, [so] there's a tough par three, and you've got a very daunting tee shot on the 17th. And 18 is a great little par five. So it's great to be here and great to be back in Western Australia. It's great to be back in Australia playing."

Campbell knows he will not be at the peak of his powers, and described a recent friendly game of golf with his mates as horrendous, but remains positive after his good form in the US tour opening Mercedes event.

"I expected nothing [at the Mercedes Championship]. I took three weeks off before playing there and I finished fourth. I had a chance to win. So my preparation for that tournament wasn't great and nor is this week, either.

"For me it's like riding a bike, you know, it takes a couple of minutes to get on the seat and ride again. I'm sure it will be fine.

"The thing that you really lose is around the greens and your feel around the putting green and chipping, but besides that, it's pretty much simple stuff.

"I'm fresh, I haven't played, but my mind and my body, it feels pretty good. I'm looking forward to getting back into it again."

The Wellingtonian will be joined by compatriots Eddie Lee from Christchurch and Perth-based Michael Long in the initial field of 156.

- NZPA