John Daly won the 1995 Open at St Andrews, beating Constantino Rocca in a play-off. Just one stroke behind, and in his first full season on the European Tour, was New Zealand’s Michael Campbell. Campbell had been two shots ahead at the start of the final round, but this valuable experience would hold him in good stead ten years later.

He had to be mentally strong in 2005, his defining year. A U.S. Open victory, World Matchplay Championship success and a runner-up finish on the European Tour Order of Merit firmly fixed his name in golf history. He is only the second New Zealander to win a Major, Bob Charles being the first.
Trailing Retief Goosen at the US Open by four shots heading into the final round, Campbell carded a round of 69, holding off Tiger Woods to win by two shots. In the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth, he once again beat Goosen, this time in the semi-final 7&6, beating fellow Legend, Paul McGinley in the final to win £1,000,000.
A talented sportsman growing up, his mother curtailed his aspirations of playing for the All Blacks and golf was to be Michael’s sport. A keen participant on the Legends Tour, he has set up base for his family in Europe and is actively coaching. Michael has even set up an American college course specifically for golf. He has been slightly troubled recently by how ‘power’ seems to be dominating the game, instead of shot craft, but his academies work on all areas of the game, both physically and mentally, to perfect every aspect of the game.
‘Cambo’ is still competing and, after a seven-year break, started back on Tour in 2019. He is now a regular competitor, but, even more importantly, he is working hard to encourage new golfers. As Jack Nicklaus said to him following his U.S. Open triumph, a Major winner’s role is to grow the game. The Michael Campbell Foundation is doing just that, motivating disadvantaged children to give the game a go.