Golf: Campbell out of Australian Masters

A shoulder injury has forced Michael Campbell out of the Australian Masters in Melbourne this week. Photo / AP

New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell has withdrawn from this week's Australian Masters in Melbourne because of shoulder pain.

Doctors in Sydney have advised Campbell he needs an MRI scan before he can be cleared to play, something the Wellingtonian will undergo on Friday.

"I am really disappointed to be have to withdraw," he said in a statement today.

"I have been carrying a niggling shoulder injury since The Open Championship in July and this flared up last week in Hong Kong."

Campbell clutched at his right shoulder at times during his opening round at the Hong Kong Open and was forced to withdraw before day two.

New Zealand's US amateur champion Danny Lee is set to play in Melbourne despite sitting out Hong Kong with a bout of chicken pox.

Campbell had organised for his caddie, Michael Waite, to work for Lee this week.

- NZPA