Golf: Battling Campbell to play Masters

New Zealand's No 1 golfer, Michael Campbell, is fit to tee off in next week's US Masters at Augusta.

Campbell, who had a one-round horror result at last week's Players Championship, has worked this week with his coach, Jonathan Yarwood.

They have been assessing whether his injured shoulder could undergo four rounds at the first major tournament of the year.

Yarwood said on Radio Sport yesterday that Campbell was taking it easy this week and his game was coming on.

"He has been checked out by doctors and they've given him the all-clear to play the Masters. Michael is very enthused and is raring to go."

Yarwood said that in hindsight Campbell should not have played the Players Championship.

Yarwood and Campbell will head to Augusta this weekend to begin preparation for the Masters.

The first sign of Campbell's injury troubles came at the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando a fortnight ago when he was seven-over the card after just three holes before withdrawing, complaining of a twinge in his left shoulder.

He followed up with a disastrous opening-round 89 last week at Florida, where he said he felt like aliens had invaded his body as the shoulder injury and plummeting confidence affected his game.

Campbell then signed an incorrect card and was disqualified.

At Augusta, interest will surround not just how Campbell can handle his injury, but also the psychological scars.

Straight after his Players Championship disaster, Campbell admitted both would be a challenge.

"I am not too sure what will be cured first - the physical side or the mental side," he said.

"The easier one will be the physical side. I still believe in my ability and these past couple of weeks have been those kind of weeks that have been disappointing.

"I know that I am still a good enough player to put this behind me and look towards the future."

The other Kiwi golfers competing at the Masters, starting on Friday (NZ time), are Phil Tataurangi and Craig Perks.

- NZPA