KEY POINTS:
HONG KONG- New Zealander golfer Michael Campbell's immediate playing future is in doubt after he withdrew with a shoulder injury prior to the second round of the Hong Kong Open today.
Campbell at times clutched at his right shoulder during a one-over 71 opening round on the suburban Fanling course yesterday, later revealing that he had been carrying the injury since July's British Open.
"It's always disappointing to have to withdraw from event and this is no exception," Campbell said today.
"But my shoulder has been causing me concern for some time now and it was hurting so much last night I had to call a doctor to my hotel.
"He had a look at it and the good news was that he said it's all muscular and there's no tearing of the tissue.
"But I have to now look at the bigger picture and while I am due to play next week's Australian Masters, I also see 2009 as a big year for with the new Race to Dubai schedule."
It had been while on a six-week break in Sydney when the injury flared and was starting to creep into his arm.
Campbell was to return to Sydney today and has arranged an MRI scan on his right shoulder for Monday.
"Depending on what the specialist says in Sydney on Monday will determine whether I play in the Australian Masters," Campbell said.
"I'm also entered in the Australian Open (starting in Sydney on December 11) but we'll just have to wait and see.
"In some ways it's come at a bad time but it's also come at a good time because if this had of happened around July or August I would have missed a lot of tournaments.
"But if I have to withdraw from the two Australian events at least I will have the Christmas/New Year break to rest and recover before starting afresh in 2009."
Campbell is the second New Zealander to withdraw from the US$2.5 million ($4.8 million) event after reigning US Amateur champion Danny Lee pulled out without hitting a shot.
Lee, who also is due to play in Melbourne next week, is suffering from chicken pox.
The withdrawal of Campbell and Lee has reduced the New Zealand contingent to three players in Hong Kong - Mark Brown (first round 70), Stephen Scahill (73) and Richard Lee (76).
- NZPA
