Golf: Campbell inspired by return to Wentworth

Michael Campbell says the memories of his World Match Play triumph last year will inspire him at this week's BMW Championship on the same Wentworth course.

"I have a huge advantage with the crowd...they are great supporters of mine," the US Open champion told reporters today. "I've seen them, felt them and it's nice to come back to a golf course where you have won before.

"I know it's a different format than matchplay but it is very, very important. If you can fill your cup with positive stuff it is going to help you perform during the course of the week."

Campbell, who beat Ireland's Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in the World Match Play final last September, made a slow start to this season but believes he is finding his touch again.

"My form is getting there slowly," said the 37-year-old.

"I finished 12th at the Irish Open last week, finished fifth the week before (in the British Masters), so it is definitely on the rise."

Campbell said recent wet weather combined with the difficulty of the remodelled West Course would make conditions tough for the players at the European Tour's flagship event which starts on Thursday.

"I would say you will not see double-figures (under par) winning this week due to the toughness of the course so I prefer that," he said.

"You see that in a lot of majors, the US Masters now and obviously the US Open is formidable with the toughness of the greens and rough. Hopefully, this week will be the same."

Campbell has a house in Brighton and considers himself a European Tour-based player. He says competing on more difficult courses on a regular basis would assist the Europeans in the majors.

"For us to win major tournaments in the future...we need to play tough courses where greens are hard and fast," he said.

"It is still not great weather right now but to have the courses a lot tougher, so when you get to Augusta or US Opens or US PGA Championships we can adapt very quickly."

Britain's Paul Lawrie was the last European to win a major, in the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie.

"It is a long time between drinks and right now the European Tour is very thirsty for major winners," said Campbell.

- REUTERS