Golf: Campbell prizes peer respect

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SYDNEY - Having finally made the breakthrough he has promised for so long, New Zealand's Michael Campbell says the respect of his golfing peers is the biggest prize of all this summer.

In an emotional press conference before the $A2 million ($2.59 million) Greg Norman International tournament begins at The Lakes course today, Campbell recounted the low times he has experienced since bursting onto the international scene in 1995.

After losing his Australasian and European PGA tour cards in 1997, Campbell said winning three tournaments on this summer's Australasian Tour had turned his life around.

He takes star billing in an international field this week, having claimed the New Zealand Open and Heineken Classic in the last fortnight. Those came after the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taipei late last year, and he now felt he had a fighting chance of becoming the first player to win three Tour events in a row and $A1 million in a season.

But more important to the 30-year-old was the congratulations coming from his fellow-professionals.

"Today, walking around the locker room all the guys are saying 'well done.' To have that sort of respect from your peers means the world to me," Campbell said.

"They think I can play the game, which may not have always been the case, and it's wonderful to hear those compliments from those people around you."

Earlier, tournament owner and bookmakers' favourite Greg Norman said Campbell's confidence made him a very dangerous opponent this week.

"It is hard [to win three in a row]. But if you feel confident, if you are striking the ball well round here, you are going to get rewarded. And Michael is playing well so this is a golf course that might suit him," Norman said of the striking 6315m par-73 course which has a number of holes on the back nine where golfers have the option of taking on water with a driver.

Campbell said the great Australian's comments made his day.

"It means a huge amount that Greg is happy for me. He's been supportive of me throughout my whole career, whether it be the highs or lows."

Campbell said the tournament had been a happy hunting ground.

When he turned professional in 1993 he finished down the field but met his wife Julie. In 1995 he was second to Craig Parry and last year he was second to compatriot Michael Long.

"It's very hard obviously to perform every week. Tiger's [Woods] won five or six in row ... hopefully it can go on forever for me. With the right mindset, I think anything's possible."

- NZPA