Nervous, excited Campbell wants to ‘enjoy the moment’
MICHAEL Campbell admits he will be nervous when he hits off at the first tee today.
Campbell, the former US Open champion, will play his first tournament in six years when he starts his round at The Hills at 12.38pm today.
The 50yearold is mirroring a young buck ready to hit the greens and tees for the first time.
‘‘I’m absolutely excited — that is why I am here. I flew 12,000 miles from Spain. Come on — this is your own national open that I was fortunate enough to win 19 years ago, turning 100,’’ he said
‘‘It is great to be back. It has been 10 years since I have played in the New Zealand Open and it feels like yesterday. When you get older, though, time does get shorter,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m pretty nervous. First time I will have a scorecard in my back pocket for six years so that is a pretty good thing.
‘‘I have got no expectations. I’m here to celebrate the 100 years of the New Zealand Open and I wouldn’t miss that for the world . . . turning 50 and in my first year as a senior — what better way to start at the NZ Open.’’
Campbell had no expectation on how he would go.
‘‘I have no idea. I have no expectation. There is expectation from people around me . . . but when I was active I played in something like 500 tournaments and won 15 times. So my percentage of winning this week is less than 2%.
‘‘I just want to enjoy the moment, enjoy being back home. Just being part of a wonderful celebration. But I flew my coach (Jonathan Yarwood) over from America [and] we have been practising for the last week and ahalf. I want to do well, of course. But I do not know what to expect.’’
It was more of a mental thing
for him, Campbell said.
‘‘I’m going to be nervous on that first tee, don’t get me wrong . . . but it is healthy to get nervous on the first tee.’’
Campbell said he was hitting the ball well, using technology to lengthen his game.
He was hoping to come back last year, but an ankle injury scuttled that. It was fine now.
Campbell will have his mother,
sister and a couple of cousins in attendance, along with his Swedish fiancee, Gunnel, who will be watching Campbell play in a tournament for the first time.
Campbell was planning to start in 14 tournaments on the PGA senior tour in the United States this year and also may play a few events in Europe.
He said the hardest thing for youngest players these days was
to get starts though he was lucky to possess lifetime exemption on the European Tour.
But he was not aiming for a busy return.
‘‘I’m not here to play 30 weeks a year. I want to play 15 tournaments, do well and then move on to next year. I have done the hard grind, played in all the tournaments. I’m not 2025, I’m 50. I want to enjoy life.’’