Golf: Charles welcomes new man to elite club

Bob Charles

New Zealand's greatest golfer, Sir Bob Charles, is alone no more.

His long vigil for company as the only New Zealand winner of a major championship ended yesterday when he was joined by Michael Campbell.

Charles, whose crowning glory was to win the British Open in 1963, sat riveted in front of a television in his Florida lounge throughout the final round of the US Open.

He saw almost every shot executed by Campbell and was thrilled when he secured victory after a tense tussle with prowling American Tiger Woods.

"It's a great day for New Zealand golf and a great day for Michael Campbell," the 69-year-old Charles said.

Charles is in what he terms semi-retirement on the Champions Tour in the US.

"From the first hole - which he birdied and of course everyone else seemed to bogey - he never looked back," Charles said.

"He had a couple of hiccups along the way but turned right around and made birdies to follow.

"To win a major championship you have to play good, have a bit of luck on your side and make the putts when you need them. He did all of those things."

Charles paid tribute to Campbell for overcoming a mid-career form slump which saw his world ranking slide from a high of No 12 in 2001 to outside the top 100 this year.

Campbell had hinted at riches to come when leading after three rounds at the British Open in 1995 before finishing in a tie for third.

"He's knocked on the door at St Andrews 10 years ago and it's to his credit that he's been able to bounce back and overcome a few problems in that interim period," Charles said.

"I take my hat off to him. It's a wonderful achievement."

Campbell said Charles was in his thoughts as he and caddie Michael Waite plotted their way around Pinehurst No 2.

"I was thinking of Bob right through today," Campbell said.

"I was thinking if I played well enough I'd have a chance to join Bob as a major winner.

"To be in the same circle, in the same sentence, as Bob Charles is an honour for me."

Campbell has often said that when he retires he wants to be recognised as the best golfer New Zealand has produced, and to do that he acknowledges he'll have to trump Charles and win two majors.

Charles, who next week ventures to Europe for about six seniors tournaments over the next two months, was tickled pink at that thought.

"He's got a goal there and I hope he can do it."

- NZPA