The Queenstown golfer flies to the United Kingdom on Monday to organize for his first look at a main.
He certified for the one hundred and fiftieth British Open – at St Andrews, the house of golf, no much less – by ending runner-up in a qualifying event, the Vic Open, in February.
While Campbell is extremely targeted on enjoying effectively, cashing as huge a cheque as potential and doubtlessly opening up much more alternatives on the elite degree, he has not misplaced sight of the actual fact this shall be a particular expertise.
“I was at St Andrew’s just three weeks ago,” he informed the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
“All the stands are up, the course is taking form, and it was good to have a look across the course.
“It’s going to be a good week. St Andrews has at all times been one of my favorite golf locations. I used to be fortunate sufficient to play the St Andrews Links Trophy three years in a row as an beginner.
“It will be a great event. It’s such a big deal, and the whole town has a massive buzz to it.”
Campbell is not going to lack for help within the gallery.
His father, Brian, and a shut pal are heading to Scotland for the July 14-17 Open, and his coaching-physio workforce can even be readily available for the event.
“I’ve additionally bought a couple of households who’ve been like second dad and mom to me all over the world. I stayed with a household in Australia for a couple of years, and one other household in America for two years, and they are going to be there.
“We’re renting a house in St Andrews, and it will be great having people who have been in my camp.”
Perhaps the No1 member of the help workers is Campbell’s caddy.
Mike Howell, an Australian-based builder who was initially from Dunedin, has carried the 30-year-old golfer’s baggage and offered a fixed supply of recommendation for about 5 years.
“About a month earlier than the Vic Open, I used to be staying with Mike. He stated, ‘I’ve bought one objective, Benny. I actually need to caddy in a main.’
“So it’s cool the way it’s turned out. He’s actually fizzing for it.
“Pro golfers play 30 weeks a yr or one thing. You must have somebody on the bag who you hit it off with, since you’re spending seven hours a day with them.
“When you’re not playing well, you need a caddy who knows how to read you. It’s not an easy job, and they’re a huge part of the team.”
Campbell performed a lot of his early golf in Wellington and stated he can be fairly blissful if St Andrew’s turned on windy and gray circumstances.
And the dream enjoying accomplice?
“Tiger would be pretty good. I won’t be paired with him on the Thursday or Friday, but making the cut and being paired with him wold be pretty special.”
Campbell and workforce fly to London then head to Liverpool, for a couple of observe rounds at Royal Birkdale, earlier than heading to Scotland.
He has simply had a spell within the UK to get in some additional hyperlinks expertise and take into consideration the pictures he might want to make to succeed on the Open.
It has been a strong begin to the yr for Campbell, who’s 58th on the Asian Tour order of advantage, regardless of lacking a couple of huge tournaments with Covid.
“I’ve been near wining a few occasions however had a couple of Sundays the place issues haven’t fairly gone my means.
“I had a great chance to win in Japan. I made a shot down the 17th in the final round, thought it was on the fairway, and we never found my ball.”
He has additionally been coping with a minor recurrence of a hip subject – one thing that, together with a again grievance, sidelined him for 18 months after surgical procedure in 2019.
The excellent news is he’s feeling 100%.
“I performed in England and it wasn’t feeling nice that week.
“It was just niggly enough, so I made call to fly home and see the team back here at Remarkables Physio. Pete [Forch] has looked after me for a few years and he’s coming to St Andrews.”
Campbell will come again to Queenstown after the Open to have a brief break earlier than a hectic few months.
He will play the Indonesia-Singapore-Korea swing on the Asian Tour in August. Then, after a two-week break, he could have 4 consecutive tournaments.
Success on the British Open could possibly be life-changing, however there may be additionally the prospect of the Asian Tour linking with the Saudi-backed LIV collection and a few severe cash to be made.