KEY POINTS:
It is still not clear whether golf legend Sir Bob Charles will play in this year's New Zealand Open. The veteran, typically, says he doesn't want to keep a young golfer out.
While Charles is still deciding whether he will play in the November event at Michael Hill's
course, he has some advice for the only other New Zealand golfer ever to win a major: Michael Campbell.
"Golf is not a game of how many good shots you hit; it is a game of how few bad shots you hit."
Charles cannot comprehend why Campbell has been unable to string two quality rounds together this season. Campbell, the 2005 US Open champion, has plummeted to 128th in the world after a season where he often starts a tournament strongly - but then falls off the pace.
"I just don't understand what his problems are and why he is so inconsistent," said Charles from his Christchurch home. "He has a wonderful golf swing - one that I have always admired. His ball striking is as good as anyone's.
"I think it is a mind thing. I don't know for sure but he has certainly got the talent - it seems to be all about confidence. Now it is a matter of consolidating and getting in a mindset to play consistent golf."
Charles, the world's first left-hander and New Zealander to win a major when he won the British Open in 1963, doesn't believe there is more pressure on Campbell following his major win.
However, he did concede: "I can't remember much about 1964," laughing about his follow-up year. "But I didn't find any additional pressure on me at all [after winning a major]. And it is early days as far as Michael goes. I hope he gets things sorted out and I hope he gets back to his winning ways or at least some consistent golf."
Charles, at the age of 71, has been able to limit those bad shots recently and ignite a remarkable turnaround. In August he finished second at the Wentworth Masters behind Irishman Des Smyth.
Charles carded a four-under-par back nine of 32 at Wentworth, the course where he won the World Matchplay title in 1969 - a feat Campbell repeated in 2005. Charles birdied the final three holes to miss the Masters title by two strokes.
"My performance there gave me a spark of life and reminded me of the good old times. It surprised me more than anyone."
Charles is enjoying his golf as much as he did when he won the New Zealand Open as an 18-year-old amateur back in 1954, even though he suffers from his own inconsistency.
"The good, the bad and the ugly is the best way to describe my golf but bettering my age is the one thing I have on my mind these days," said Charles. "If I play poorly I'll play less and if I play well I will play more."
Does that mean he will make an appearance at the 2007 New Zealand Open?
"I don't know," he said hesitantly. "I retired on my 50th anniversary of winning [the NZ Open] and I don't want to keep any young golfers out. I don't want to be selfish.
Charles is sure the Open will be special not least because of its spellbinding setting.
"It is unique. And the golf course has got a little bit of everything: It has some terrific short holes, some great variety and it will be a great test."
New Zealand golf fans would love to see an in-form Campbell and Charles teeing off for the first time together as major winners at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open - something special.
