At a glance
‘‘I’m pretty nervous, I must say. It’s the first time I’m going to have a scorecard in my back pocket in six years, so that’s a pretty cool thing,’’ Campbell said.
He’s been grouped with fellow Kiwi Tim Wilkinson, and will tee off in the $1.3 million event at
12.38pm. He will play the par-71 Millbrook course tomorrow. The
top-60 (plus ties) will play The Hills at the weekend to decide the winner of the Brodie Breeze Trophy.
Campbell, who said his ball striking ahead of his return to the sport was ‘‘really good’’, used his career stats to ram home his chances the next four days.
‘‘When I was active, I played in [about] 500 tournaments. I won 15 times. So my win rate was [about] 2 per cent . . . so the percentage of me winning this weekend is even lower than 2 per cent. It’s a simple fact.’’
That said, Campbell offered some hope that his return wouldn’t be a flop, pointing out he is hitting the ball further than before, and that he moves like he did 20 years ago.
‘‘It’s serious, still. I want to do well, of course,’’ he said.
‘‘I want to prove to myself that I’ve got some unfinished business out there.
‘‘I feel that if I keep fit, my body is healthy, I feel that I can actually do well out there again. It’s amazing how things come back very quickly.’’
Regardless what unfolds in Arrowtown in the coming days, Campbell has a rough plan for the rest of the year, which includes capping the amount of tournaments he plays at 15.
With lifetime European Tour and European Senior Tour cards, he has the luxury of picking and choosing. Campbell also has up to 14 starts on the PGA Tour Champions.
‘‘I’m not here to play 30 weeks a year. I’ve done that for 21 years. I want to play 15 events, do well, win a couple of tournaments, say thanks, and move on for next year,’’ Campbell said.
‘‘I’ve done the grind, I’ve done the hard work. I’m not 20 or 25 years old. I’m 50. I just want to enjoy life. Other things are more important than playing golf.’’
Open
The 100th New Zealand
The Hills and Millbrook, Arrowtown Today-Sunday
Pro-am. 152 players alternate between the The Hills and Millbrook for their opening two rounds, before The Hills hosts the top-60 plus ties for the final two rounds at the weekend. The tournament is a cosanctioned event on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour schedules, and in partnership agreement with the Japan Golf Tour.
$1.3 million