Sir Steve Redgrave
New Zealander Michael Campbell heads for a Volvo China Open debut in Chengdu this week with a spring in his step after recapturing his best form since 2005.
Sitting at seven-under-par going into the final day of the Malaysian Open, the 42-year-old, who won the US Open in 2005 attributed his upswing to none other that five-time Olympic Rowing champion Sir Steve Redgrave, with whom he shared a Volvo courtesy car traveling between St Andrews and Carnoustie during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
"If you have won five Olympic gold medals over 20 years, you have to be a truly special athlete, and Steve gave me some really useful insights into preparing physically and mentally, and he should know," said Campbell, adding, "I said of my 2005 US Open win that it felt as if I had climbed Everest, and he said, 'great, but make sure you climb it again but this time without oxygen.'
"That really struck a chord with me and I have been working out, harder and smarter and I really feel my game is coming back together again for the first time in a couple of years," he continued.
The English-based New Zealander's last win was the 2005 World Match Play Championship at Wentworth and the event is playing a part in Campbell's decision to make what he calls a, "Long overdue debut," in the Volvo China Open in Chengdu this week."
"I love China, the culture, the food, the golf and having won the US Open, national open championships have a special importance for me," he said, explaining, "And with a place at the Volvo World Match Play Championship on offer to the Volvo China Open, that's a special incentive not only to play but to go all out for the win."
He concluded, "Golf is 95% hard work, and with hard work comes opportunities, which lead to confidence, which is building nicely."
Campbell is one of four 'Major' champions in the field for the RMB20million (Approx. US$3.3million) Volvo China Open, alongside three-time 'Major' winner Pádraig Harrington, defending Volvo China Open champion YE Yang and 2004 Open Champion Todd Hamilton from the USA.
