Campbell in Majors Winning Company in Singapore
Bernie McGuire, Singapore
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Michael Campbell joins four fellow Major champions who are contesting this week's Barclays Singapore Open.
The $US5m event is again being staged on the Sentosa Resort course but for a first time the premier Asian tournament is being co-sanctioned with the European Tour.
Joining Campbell is American and World No. 2 Phil Mickelson along with the triple Major winning duo of Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els.
Making up the quintet of Major winners is Australia's Geoff Ogilvy who followed Campbell as the 2006 U.S. Open winner.
It is Campbell's first appearance in a European Tour event in Singapore since he was placed mid-field in the 2004 Caltex Singapore Masters at Laguna National.
"It's great being back in Singapore and this part of the world," he said.
"I've been through Singapore many times on my way back and forward to Europe, so it's nice to be spending a week here and teeing-up in a great tournament.
"All credit to Barclays because they've managed to attract a great field on what is going to be a good golf course. The rough is up on last year so the scoring might not be as low but it's the same for everyone and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"The course is going to call for a mixture of drivers, fairway woods and irons, so it will be a balanced test and that's what I enjoy most about a golf course."
Campbell will play the opening two rounds in the company of South African James Kamate and Spain's popular Pablo Larrazabal.
"I know James really well but I don't think we've ever played a competition round together," said Campbell.
"Pablo's also good fun to be with and besides he's got a Kiwi caddy on the bag, so that will make for a good first two days."
Campbell's quest for the title begins Thursday at 8am local Singapore time.