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CARNOUSTIE - Michael Campbell will draw on his strong knowledge of Carnoustie to boost his claims for victory in this week's British Open championship.
Campbell and Steve Alker, New Zealand's only competitors in golf's oldest major starting Thursday night (NZ time), further familiarised themselves with the course this
morning when they played a leisurely 18-hole round together in glorious sunshine bathing the east of Scotland course.
It was Campbell's second outing on Carnoustie since arriving on Sunday night from his UK residence in Brighton.
"I played nine holes on Monday afternoon with Aussie Ben Barham who qualified for the Open earlier this year," said Campbell.
"It was a nice day once all the rain had gone and Ben's a nice fellow. It was a beautiful afternoon and a real pleasure to play.
"But it was just so good to get that links turf under your feet again as I hadn't played links golf for such a long time, not since last year's British Open at Royal Liverpool.
"And like most of us here this week, it's also eight years since I last played a British Open here at Carnoustie and much has happened in my life since then and also in my golf life, as everyone knows."
Campbell wanted no reminding of his efforts in 1999 when he carded rounds of 79 and 77 for a 14-over par tally to miss the cut just two shots and be officially credited with a share of 83rd place.
'Carnasty', as was affectionately penned, played 7,361 yards in 1999 with the average score on day one being 76.82 and then 78.31 on day two when Australia's Rod Pampling created British Open history after tumbling from the first round leader with a level par 71 to miss the cut with a second round 86 for a 15-over par total.
But Carnoustie is a lot fairer test for the 156-competitors competing this year despite the venue being lengthened to 7,421-yards.
The R & A have being right on the back of Carnoustie greens staff since the start of the year to ensure there was not a repeat of eight years ago when the rough was fertilized to encourage growth.
It was rumoured also that when John Philip, the Head Green-keeper at Carnoustie changed his mobile number earlier this year, Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of the R & A was straight on the phone to the club wanting to know Philip's new number.
Campbell's big plus this week will that he's has played Carnoustie many times in the Dunhill Links Championship that commenced in 2001 and uses the Angus County course as one of three host venues.
It's for this reason Campbell believes he will not have to overdo his preparations this week for what will be his 13th British Open since making his debut in 1994 at Turnberry.
"Carnoustie was just brutal eight years ago and I don't have many fond memories from that British Open but having played 27 holes of the course so far this week, it's a lot more fairer," he said.
"It's a true test of golf and quite fair.
"I think also that because I have played here plenty of times in the Dunhill event that my preparations this week don't have to be so intense as it would be if I was play ing any of the US based majors.
"It's probably the most laid-back I have been going into a major for some time and I'm not alone in saying that because a lot of the guys who play the European Tour and played in the Dunhill Links have said that also.
"It means my attitude my mindset is also quite laid back and I'm just going to have fun and enjoy the occasion.
"I know the golf course very well and I know where to place your tee shot so you miss all those bunkers because that is the most penal part of any links.
"Of course, the set-up is a lot different to when we play here in October and the good weather getting now means the golf course is already getting fiery and hard in places and that's just how the R & A want it.
"The course has already changed since I played nine holes on Monday and it's getting very bouncy and hard.
"I also spent some time last week at the Walton Heath course where I qualified for the US Open two years ago, and that has helped enormously as the fairways down there are pretty hard and bouncy."
Campbell spent Monday evening attending a now annual Callaway sponsored outing for the media attending the British Open at golf club not far from Carnoustie.
Present also were fellow Callaway staff players Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, Niclas Fasth of Sweden, Charles Schwartzel of South Africa and the British trio of Nick Dougherty, Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty.
The players put on a demonstration hitting three different clubs into a 153-yard par three hole.
Campbell was first to show his talents in hitting playing a 9-iron, 4-iron and driver into the hole and utilising varying techniques to find the green.
"The Callaway outing has become one of those events to get Open week started and it was a great way to relax because it will get that more intense come Tuesday," he said.
Campbell was then back at Carnoustie mid-Tuesday morning ahead of teeing off just after noon for a full practice round in the company of Steve Alker.
"It was great to play with Steve and we were trying to work out when's the last time we have played together," said Campbell.
"We couldn't work it out but I was really pleased he got through qualifying and that means there's two New Zealanders flying the flag this week.
"Steve has played a lot of links golf over the last few days and that showed today as he played some good bump-and-run shots what you need to do around here."
Campbell is joined in Carnoustie by his wife and family along with his parents Tom and Mary who have travelled over from New Zealand.
- NZPA