MELBOURNE - New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell will approach the first tee at Royal Melbourne today looking to become the first triple winner of the Heineken Classic.
Campbell, one of 10 New Zealand players competing in the A$2 million ($2.27 million) tournament, is returning to competition after sitting out last week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand to attend a friend's wedding.
His last outing was in the New Zealand Open at The Grange last month when he missed the second-round cut.
Campbell said yesterday that it was probably a mistake to contest the Open so soon after surgery to remove varicose veins in his left leg.
"My leg was very sore and tender after competing in Auckland.
"But it's been two weeks since then and I've used that time wisely to strengthen it while I am being treated by Dale Richardson, my physio.
"The treatment he's undertaken has it feeling great and I'm looking forward to getting into contention."
Campbell and South African Ernie Els, the defending champion, are the only players in the eight-year history of the event to win twice.
Campbell took the title in 2000 and 2001, and Els has won the past two events.
"There is nothing as special coming back to a tournament you've won to see your name on the trophy and your picture on promotional posters and in the programme," Campbell said.
He will be in good company for the first two rounds after being grouped with Welshman Ian Woosnam and Australian great Greg Norman.
For another New Zealander, Stephen Scahill, the Heineken Classic marks his fourth successive event of the year after he contested two co-sanctioned events in South Africa, including a ninth placing in the South African Open.
He then missed the cut in the Johnnie Walker Classic.
- NZPA
Golf: Campbell looking to make a different sort of cut after leg operation
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