Golf: Campbell hoping shoulder will last for Irish Open

Michael Campbell has been troubled by a shoulder injury for the past seven months. Photo / Getty Images

Former champion Michael Campbell will tee off at this week's Irish Open at Baltray, more in hope than expectation.

Campbell, who won the tournament at Portmarnock in 2003, has been troubled by an injury to his right shoulder for the past seven months.

It forced him to withdraw from last week's Players' Championship in Florida after playing just nine holes.

"It's been seven long months since I last played four rounds and that was at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland," he said.

"All I can do is tee-up on Thursday and hope there's no further problems.

"It's been tough having to sit on the sidelines and also to withdraw from tournaments.

"Hopefully, coming back to Ireland where I've won in the past will be a turning point for the season."

Campbell is among a number of former Irish Open champions in this year's field including Ireland's Padraig Harrington and defending champion, Richard Finch of England.

He will play the opening two rounds with in-form Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.

- NZPA