Golf: Campbell teed up for battle of sexes

By CHRIS RATTUE

Michael Campbell has given his initial agreement to a golfing "battle of the sexes" with the women's world No 1, Australian Karrie Webb.

Tiger Woods' appearance fee apparently put him out of a battle with Webb.

But 31-year-old Campbell has been lined up, along with major tournament winners John Daly and Nick Faldo, to meet Webb on courses in England, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

In the 18-hole strokeplay contests, the male golfers will tee off further back on the par four and five holes, but Webb will not get an advantage on the par threes.

In theory, driving is the only area where males have an advantage.

Webb is not ranked among the longest women hitters, who average over 260m.

Campbell has been informed that Webb drives the ball around the 240m mark. The top male drivers, such as Daly, average close to 300m.

The series is being promoted by Greg Norman's former manager, Frank Williams, and has yet to be finalised. But world No 15 Campbell says he is keen on the challenge.

New Zealand's top golfer did some scouting work on 26-year-old Webb when he quizzed British golfing great Laura Davies during a skins match late last year.

Campbell, who finished last year ranked No 14 in the world, has an added incentive to take part in the match.

It is likely to take place at the new Kauri Cliffs course in Northland, where Campbell has been signed as their touring professional.

"I am looking forward to playing Karrie, but what if I'm beaten? All the guys would give me hell, but that's more incentive to do well," he said.

"It's a great concept, it appeals to everybody, the women's golf and the men's golf combined.

"The crowd would be sensational, and to play in front of my home crowd is the most important thing because I only get to play there once a year."

Just how big the galleries would be remains to be seen. The 6398m Kauri Cliffs course, developed by New York financier Julian Robertson, is at remote Matauri Bay in the Far North. However, the key to this latest battle of the sexes is getting a television deal together.

Campbell's manager, Andrew Ramsay, confirmed the New Zealand No 1's interest, but said final agreement depended on a television deal and fees for the players.

"Michael is very interested - it is something that really appeals to him," said Ramsay, who meets Williams again this weekend.

Queenslander Webb has been a sensation since she joined the American Tour from Europe in 1996.

She was the top money winner in her first year in the US, finished second and fourth in subsequent years, and has been No 1 again for the past two years.

In 2000, she made the cut in all 22 of her starts, and won seven tournaments, including two majors - the US Open and Nabisco championships. She has also triumphed in the British Open.

Webb would play off the members' tees while Campbell and company would play from the championship tees, a difference of about 25m on the par fives and 15m on the par fours.

Faldo, ranked 106, said: "It sounds like a good laugh. I'm still waiting for the nuts and bolts of it to come through. We're going to have to negotiate about the tees, but as long as it is a good golf course and sensibly organised, I'm interested."

Williams wants long-hitting Australian Stuart Appleby, ranked 33 in the world, as the fourth opponent, with Australian youngsters Aaron Baddeley and Adam Scott next in line and five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, who is a fit 71, another possibility.

Williams said Webb was extremely keen.

"She sees it as that old battle of the sexes thing. The question is, all things being equal, is she as good as Tiger Woods?"