Golf: Campbell to play practice round with Greg Norman

DUBLIN, Ireland - US Open champion, Michael Campbell, will play a first British Open Championship practice round next week alongside former double winner, Greg Norman.

Campbell confirmed Norman, who won the British Open in 1986 and 1993, has arranged for the pair to tee off from the Old Course at St Andrews early in the week before the July 14th start to the golf's oldest Major.

"Greg rang me last week in the days after my win at Pinehurst and it was great on his part to phone me and offer his congratulations," said Campbell.

"He has long been one of my golfing heroes and it was fabulous that he should want to phone me to pass on his best wishes.

"Greg has won two British Opens and probably should have won a lot more Majors, including the US Open, so I am looking forward to getting out there on the Old Course with one of the greats of the game.

"It's just nice in this sport you can have players of Greg's stature, ring you up at your home and offer their best wishes and then ask if they can join you for a practice round in a British Open.

"I will respect what Greg has to say about the Old Course at St Andrews and I guess it is going to be something for the fans to also enjoy with a double British Open champion and the new US Open winner out together just having fun."

Campbell will be heading into his 11th British Open whilst the 50-year old Norman will be making his 26th appearance and a fifth on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Meanwhile, Campbell's 30-point All Black winning margin prediction was spot on.

Last fortnight's Pinehurst hero made the prediction straight after Friday's European Open second round.

Unfortunately due to a 9.50am tee time Campbell managed to only capture coverage of the first half of the All Black's 48 to 18 demolition of the British and Irish Lions.

But what he saw was enough to inspire the Maori golfer to grab three early birdies in an eventual 71.

"It was a great start to the morning with the All Blacks winning, and by 30 points as I predicted," he said.

"It was a very inspirational first half and I even imagined myself being Daniel Carter and hitting my tee shots down the middle, and through some goal posts, but what a legend he is and just a machine.

"I could only see the first half but I managed to get progress scores around the course."

Campbell will start the final round of the European Open in a share of 18th place on one over par but nine shots behind Denmark's Thomas Bjorn who heads the euro 3.6 million event.

Bjorn, seeking a second Tour win this season, carded a near flawless 69 in blustery conditions to end the round four clear of Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and England's Jonathon Lomas.

Campbell birdied three holes in succession from his third before an indifferent 11 holes when he managed one other birdie but four bogeys.

He then ended his round of 71 with a last hole birdie.

"I was like the Lions today as I started out with a bang but didn't finish it off," he said.

"So after being three under par early I then made a few bogeys but it has been a funny day when I hit some great shots and I am feeling a little fatigued right now.

"I am a little too far from the lead and there are too many good players ahead of me but the goal is to go out there on the final day, shoot a low one, and finish as high up as I can."

- NZPA