Golf: Campbell not daunted by new Augusta

AUGUSTA - New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell says he is revising how to play Augusta National after extensive changes and lengthening of the course which hosts the US Masters, starting tomorrow night (NZT).

Campbell will be teeing off in his third Masters and the 17th major of his professional career.

New Zealand's top golfer played just nine holes yesterday under the watchful eye of coach Jonathan Yarwood and a near-record first-day practice crowd.

"It's always nice to come back to Augusta and play a first practice round, and it's also not very often you come off a golf course smiling. I was just so involved with the atmosphere out there," Campbell said.

"The changes to the course seem to be very beneficial ... It's great to be back."

Augusta National has reshaped several tee-off areas and added 260m for the year's first major. The course will now play to 6640m when Tiger Woods tees off in defence of his title.

There has been plenty of pre-tournament talk of the changes, but Campbell believes there are minimal variations to last year's event, in which he missed the cut.

"A few holes are indeed longer, with the 18th tee now back a further 55m, and that means it's now a driver off the tee when normally in the past you could be hitting anything from a one iron to three wood off the tee.

"The greens are already rock-hard and it's only Tuesday."

World No 1 Woods heads into the tournament favoured to retain the coveted winner's green jacket, but Campbell believes at least half-a-dozen players - himself included - pose a real threat this week.

"Look at the past 18 months and Tiger has not been as dominant as he used to be and so many other guys have improved immensely," Campbell said.

"Ernie Els ... is again challenging Tiger for the No 1 spot in the world. Everyone, including myself, is working harder than normal.

"That's great for the game, too, and it goes to show that if you work a bit harder, it can pay off."

Campbell first contested the Masters in 1996 courtesy of his third place seven months earlier in the British Open.

He missed the halfway cut that year and again last year, and has yet to better par in the four rounds he has contested.

This year his expectations are much higher and the father of two is confident of being present for the weekend rounds.

"My expectations in those two appearances have been too high, so my mindset or attitude this week is to have some fun and just play the game," Campbell said.

"I remember driving down Magnolia Drive for a first time in 1996 with a big smile on my face, but every time you come here you must learn to always respect this golf course and this tournament.

"I played the first round in 1996 in the company of Jack Nicklaus and I was as nervous as hell, and that was pretty overwhelming. But this year I feel I am more prepared mentally and that now I can compete with the best in the world."

Campbell and Craig Perks, winner of The Players Championship, are the only New Zealanders in the Augusta field.

Of the 28 previous Players winners, 24 have gone on to win a major. The last not to do so was 1990 winner Jodie Mudd.

Perks, who turned down offers to attend the Masters as a spectator because he wanted to earn an invitation to play there, said his style was suited for the course, which favoured players who typically hit the ball from right to left.

"I have a lot of confidence in my game," he said. "If I drive the ball well, and continue to chip and putt well, you never know what can happen."

- NZPA