Golf: Campbell hopes his timing is right for US Open

Michael Campbell

NEW YORK - If Michael Campbell is spotted ducking into any of the port-a-loos spread around the Winged Foot golf course for this week's US Open, it might not be nature calling.

Twice during last year's final US Open round Campbell was observed hurrying to a port-a-loo during his breakthrough debut major win on Pinehurst No. 2.

But a call of nature was not the reason for the soon-to-be US Open champion, despite one spectator shouting "Did you wash your hands?" as the New Zealander emerged from one of the makeshift toilets.

Spending a few minutes away from the heat of the final round was all part of Campbell's eventual winning game plan.

While the eyes of the golf world watched from outside, Campbell used his time in the cramped conditions to conduct a series of exercises designed to improve his focus for the final 30 minutes that would change his life forever.

"No, I didn't need to go to the toilet, as such as I was doing my eye exercises in there," he said. "Popping into the port-a-loo helped me get away from the moment and helped release the tension of my situation.

"It was the same story when I went for a toilet break at the 12th hole, all part of keeping my focus."

Campbell developed the eye exercises by working with Canadian-born posturologist and exercise kinesiologist, Paul Gagne.

Florida-based Gagne, who has also worked with teenage sensation Michelle Wie, developed a special technique to help get Campbell's eyes working together properly and help improve his overall posture.

It was Campbell's coach, Jonathon Yarwood, who is also based in Florida, who helped introduce Campbell to Gagne and he began working with the specialist just after the start of last season.

"He just explained how I could improve my focus and relax more by strengthening my eye muscles," Campbell said. "I had my eyes tested and one wasn't looking at the same point as the other.

"I was informed your eyes can get lazy and basically I was seeing the ball in a skewed manner.

"So I started this routine of holding a tee about 15 inches in front of my face then bringing it closer to my eyes until I could see two tees.

"Then I move the tee in circles and then figures of eight with my focus fixed on the tee at all times.

"The exercises take about 20 seconds but if I'd done it in front of the TV cameras everyone would have thought I was a loony."

Despite bogeying the final green, the bathroom visits also ensured Campbell became the only player that week to match par and finish two strokes clear of Tiger Woods.

Campbell arrived in New York yesterday looking forward to his title defence. It will be his first look at the Winged Foot club in Mamaroneck, about 40 minutes north of Manhattan.

"I'm looking forward to going back as defending champion and I don't know anything about Winged Foot other than seeing Davis Love win the USPGA there in 1997," he said.

"But I'll be doing a similar prep to last year and feel my game's getting there slowly and hopefully I'll peak again at the right time."

He'll be joined in the Open field by fellow New Zealander Phil Tataurangi who qualified last week.

- NZPA