Golf: Campbell battles tiredness to lead international team

A weary Michael Campbell says he is ready for the added responsibility of leading the way for the International golf team in this week's Presidents Cup.

Campbell arrived at the Robert Trent Jones course in Gainesville, Virginia, a £1 million ($2.61 million) World Match Play winner's cheque in his pocket, reflecting on the extra pressure he faces in matches against the United States starting on Friday (NZT).

"Ever since I won my first major (US Open) at Pinehurst I've taken on new responsibilities, and this is one of them," New Zealand's Campbell said on the PGA Tour's website.

"With Ernie (Els) out this week it's a huge blow to the team but I believe we've got a very strong team on paper. You have to be in the top-30 in the world to make this team so it's a wonderful team to be involved in."

Els will miss this week's competition between the 12-man teams as he recovers from knee surgery.

Campbell will face the Tiger Woods-led US team alongside the likes of Fiji's Vijay Singh, Australia's Adam Scott, Canada's Mike Weir and South African Retief Goosen, one of the players he conquered at Wentworth last week.

Campbell admitted his torrid World Match Play schedule, which ended with his 2 and 1 victory over Ireland's Paul McGinley in the 36-hole final on Monday, had taken its toll.

"Right now, (I'm) very very jaded, very very tired. It's been a big week for me, walking around Wentworth, two rounds a day for four days.

"It's been a very busy week for me. But it's only Tuesday, we start in another two days time so hopefully by then I'll be raring to go."

Touching down in the United States no longer poses Campbell the headaches it did in past years when he missed a series of cuts in big tournaments.

This year his US Open victory and sixth equal placing in the PGA Championship well and truly buried those ghosts.

He said his strong mental state would get him past any weariness this week.

"I think I'm more complete as a player now, mentally, not really physically," Campbell said.

"I feel like I can go out there and win every tournament I play now, whereas before I had a lot of self doubt in my mind before every tournament started."

The Presidents Cup starts with foursomes matches on Friday morning (NZT).

- NZPA