Golf: Majors milestone awaits Campbell

Michael Campbell. Photo / Getty Images

Michael Campbell has never been much of a numbers man.

So it comes as no surprise that the New Zealand golfer is pleasantly surprised when informed next week's US Open marks a major milestone in his faltering career.

Campbell, 42, is due to step on to the first tee at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on Friday (NZT) for what will be his 50th appearance in one of the world's four golfing majors.

"Really? Wow...well there you go, that's something new," the 2005 US Open champion exhales down the phone line.

"I think what I have achieved in the golfing world is not too shabby. Any time you mention a major in there, it is definitely a career anyone in this world would be very, very happy with."

Only one New Zealander, the indefatigable Sir Bob Charles, has traded shots in majors company on more occasions than Campbell, with the now 75-year-old having made 69 majors appearances between 1958 and 2001.

The statistical landmark comes at a time when Campbell continues his search to rediscover his game, one he lost from early 2006 onward as he tumbled from the dizzy heights of challenging for a world top-10 ranking to his modest, present day ranking of 713th.

His appearance at Congressional owes nothing to form, and everything to the 10-year exemption he earned for winning the 2005 Open at Pinehurst No 2, a crossroads in a career notable for lengthy form slumps.

He hinted at a minor revival in April when he made three successive cuts on the European Tour for the first time in three years, but he has subsequently failed to qualify for the weekend rounds in his last three events.

So, there is little to recommend Campbell heading to Congressional where he knows the sternest of tests awaits him on a Blue course which stretches to 6926 metres, the second-longest layout used in the championship's history.

US Open organisers are a breed apart from their counterparts for the other three majors, in that they delight in exposing any and all player flaws by presenting venues specifically prepared to produce a winning score of even par.

The greens will be super slick and the rough thick and long, a challenge Campbell enjoys even if his game does not appear in the right shape to cope.

"They do aim to have a winning score of even par and they have done very well over the recent history of the championship but there have been times when they have gone to extremes," Campbell said.

"I will never forget the par-three seventh holes at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 when Retief Goosen won. No one could stop the ball on the green hitting a seven iron in.

"To me, that's just not golf. They had to water the green before each group of players came through.

"The officials said 'oh, oh, we've made a mistake and let's learn from that'. Ever since then they have actually done a very good job."

In private moments Campbell is sure to acknowledge the magnitude of the task confronting him next week when simply making the cut would represent a victory of sorts.

He has made only one cut at the US Open since holding Tiger Woods and company at bay six years ago, earning a modest edge after finishing in a tie for 58th place in 2007.

There is no place to hide at any of the majors, particularly the US Open.

"In a major you need all facets of your game operating at 110 percent," he said.

"You need all of it - fairways hit, greens hit, chipping, bunker play, shaping the shots ... everything needs to be in tip top shape.

"If one department is lacking major golf really magnifies your weaknesses. Everything about a major championship means that you have to bring your A plus game."

It will be interesting to see what mark Campbell gives his own game after the second round next Saturday.