GULLANE - Michael Campbell has dreamed of winning the British Open.
He revealed yesterday that in his dream he walked down the final hole at Muirfield enjoying a three-stroke lead.
He will tee up for the first round tonight in the best form possible, after winning the European Open in Ireland and then finishing sixth in the Scottish Open last weekend.
Campbell especially sought out three-time British Open champion Nick Faldo to play a practice round with yesterday, although it was cut short to nine holes because of steady rain.
The world No 14 emerged later to work out on the practice range with his coach, Jonathan Yarwood, before completing the 18 holes of the course.
"I played with Nick on purpose just to pick his brains, seeing he won the Open twice here, in 1987 and 1992," Campbell said.
"So he knows this golf course well, though it was hard getting information out of him - I had to prod him a lot.
"He was great in pointing out all the correct landing areas in front of each of the greens."
Campbell also talked about his dream.
"I actually had a dream about what it would be like walking up the 72nd hole as the British Open champion. I imagined myself with a three-shot lead, but I am a dreamer."
Campbell first has to overcome a miserable run in the majors, having missed the halfway cut in 13 of the 19 he has contested, including seven of the last eight.
"My performance in the past six majors, in particular, has been well below par. It's been just a matter of trying too hard.
"Now I'm trying to stick to the same routine of the past couple of weeks.
"Every time I have competed in a major I have seemed to tighten up a little bit, but I shouldn't, so I will just go out there and play and enjoy it."
New Zealand's other competitor is Craig Perks.
- NZPA
Golf: Campbell dreams of Open victory walk
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