Golf: Campbell paired with Woods in US Open

Defending champion Michael Campbell has been drawn with world No 1 Tiger Woods for the opening two rounds of next week's US Open on the Winged Foot golf course, near New York.

The United States Golf Association announced the draw today with New Zealander Campbell joined by Woods and Italy's Edorado Molinari, the US Amateur titleholder.

They will tee off at 1.25pm next Thursday (5.30am Friday, NZ time).

Campbell will be seeking to become the first player to win consecutive US Open titles in 17 years - American Curtis Strange won a second straight title in 1989.

Woods will be looking for an 11th major championship win in his first event since the death of his father, Earl.

Campbell captured the 2005 US Open, holding off Woods to win by two strokes at Pinehurst.

Taupo's Phil Tataurangi, who this week qualified for the Open, will tee-up at 8.50am (12.50am Friday, NZT) with American Craig Barlow and Canadian amateur Jonathan Moore.

Campbell and his family will go to Buckingham Palace today (NZ time) to receive his New Zealand Order of Merit award from the Queen.

He will travel to New York tomorrow to begin preparations for his title defence.

He will join American Chris DiMarco on Monday morning at the Wall Street Stock Exchange for the 'ringing in' of trading.

Plans for him to throw the first pitch at Tuesday night's Yankees versus Cleveland Indians baseball game at Yankee Stadium have been shelved.

- NZPA