Golf: Brooke's advice spurs Campbell

SYDNEY - Michael Campbell says he will remember the advice of former All Black Zinzan Brooke when he begins his bid to win a third straight Heineken Open title today.

Campbell will head a 10-strong New Zealand contingent at Royal Melbourne, the new venue for the $A2 million ($4.81 million) tournament after its move from The Vines in Perth.

He will have an early start, teeing off with South African Ernie Els and Australian's New Zealand Open champion, Craig Parry, in the second group from the 10th hole.

Campbell said yesterday that he was not feeling any added pressure from his previous victories in the event.

"All I'll do is go out and play, to try to win it rather than try to defend it," he said.

"When you try to defend a tournament, you get too complacent."

The philosophy was passed on to him by Brooke, a member of the multiple Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup-winning All Black sides of the 1990s, as well as a successful skipper of the Blues in the Super 12.

"That was one of the things I took on board and it has worked," Campbell said.

The 32-year-old Wellingtonian will again be one of the players to beat over the coming four days.

The Australian sports TAB agency has installed him as equal third favourite with American John Daly.

South African Els heads the betting followed by Australian No 1 Robert Allenby.

Campbell said he was confident his game was back on track after finishing in a tie for 42nd in the Johnnie Walker Classic last week, when he faded after a birdie blitz in the opening round.

"I used Sunday as a practice round for the Heineken and hit the ball great. "My short game was below par, but I came away from Perth knowing I was hitting the ball well."

Campbell said he had also got over the disappointment of his three-putt on the 71st hole that cost him a second New Zealand Open title this month.

"It took me about 24 hours," he said. "The next day, I was made an Officer of the Order of Merit of New Zealand.

"I went from extreme disappointment to receiving the award. I think I learn from my mistakes and carry on.

"You make sure you put them behind you."

Campbell was in his second year as a professional when he last played at Royal Melbourne, in the 1994 Greg Norman International.

He said he enjoyed being back on the course, describing the greens as "fantastic" and the rough "as severe as I thought."

- NZPA