Golf: Campbell returns to action

Michael Campbell is confident he has shaken the shoulder injury which kept him out of action for more than two months. Photo / AP

ABU DHABI - New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell returns to competition at this week's Abu Dhabi Championship confident he's shaken a shoulder injury.

He is making his debut in the event being played in the United Arab Emirates ahead of contesting next week's Qatar Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic starting on January 29.

It has been more than two months since a right shoulder injury forced Campbell to withdraw after the first round of the Hong Kong Open.

He then pulled out of the Australian Masters in Melbourne and also ruled himself out of the Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open.

Since returning to his Sydney home in late November Campbell underwent a scan on his shoulder along with intensive physio treatment.

He has been put on a special series of exercises to further strengthen the affected region of his shoulder.

"My shoulder is holding up okay and that's been my biggest worry over the Christmas and New Year period whether it will hold up this week. So far so good," he said.

"I've given it plenty of rest and along with all the physio treatment I've had on it, I am feeling good about returning to competition.

"It's still not 100 per cent fit and I still have to be careful with it but after playing a practice round here on the Abu Dhabi course there was no concern whatsoever.

"I'm approaching 40 now and I need to take better care of my body and if I want to keep on playing this game at a certain level I have to keep on top of everything."

Campbell is joined in Abu Dhabi by fellow New Zealander Mark Brown, who is also making his debut in the event.

The European Tour event starts tomorrow.

- NZPA