Golf: Campbell feels he is one of the masters

Fiji's Vijay Singh (left) and Michael Campbell get in some practice. Picture / Reuters

AUGUSTA - Michael Campbell is confident his reigning major-winning stature will help end an Augusta hoodoo when he tees-up in Friday's (NZT) US Masters.

Campbell took his first drive in two years down the famed Magnolia Lane this week, accompanied by long-time coach Jonathon Yarwood.

Campbell, the US Open champion, got the media treatment when he arrived at Augusta, stepping out of his gleaming white Cadillac courtesy car to be besieged by local TV news crews anxious to report the views of the Pinehurst hero.

"It's always good to be back at Augusta and it's been too long for me, and a couple of years since I've been here," said Campbell.

"It's nice to get back out on the course and stroll the fairways. It's always been one of my favourite places in the world to play and I just feel privileged and honoured to be here.

"It's great too, coming here as a major winner.

"I definitely have a different mindset on how I will play this week because I have struggled in recent times trying to make the cut.

"But arriving here with that US Open win under my belt has made me more comfortable with my surroundings."

Nine months ago, Campbell arrived at the US Open in a similar situation to that staring at him this week in Georgia.

He had contested six US Opens, the first in 1996, and then, after finishing 12th in 2000, he proceeded to miss the halfway cut in his next four appearances.

But he superbly buried that statistic last June with a heart-stopping two-stroke victory over Tiger Woods.

Campbell's first US Masters was also in 1996. He played his second in 2001 and then the next three, but has missed the halfway cut in all five showings.

But Campbell, now ranked 22 in the world, is confident of finally demolishing the one remaining major championship hurdle of playing all four rounds.

"It is amazing how things can turn around, as we saw last June at Pinehurst," he said.

"It all depends on how you feel about yourself both physically and mentally, and I feel very comfortable being back here at Augusta and amongst the best players in the world.

"I feel as though I have finally broken down a lot of barriers by winning my first major, though it's been a struggle for me in recent times at Augusta.

"But it's been a great past year for me and I am looking forward to this year.

"It's a great buzz coming back to Augusta, the whole mystique about Augusta, the history behind the event, Bobby Jones and all those amazing things that turn it into a wonderful tournament."

Campbell said that what he looked forward to most this week was competing without the fear and panic he faced in his previous Augusta appearances.

"In the five times I have been to Augusta I have never made a cut. It is just amazing - this game of golf - how it can change very, very quickly.

"There was a sense of panic in the past because I had never made a cut and that was the same scenario for a long time in the US Open and then I won.

"Now when I head into a major, and when I come here to America, I know I have a good chance to win."

- NZPA