Golf: Campbell returns to favourite course

WENTWORTH - Michael Campbell will start the European Tour flagship BMW Championship at Wentworth as a last-up winner on the famed course.

Campbell eight months ago added the HSBC world matchplay championship crown to his US Open title, won three months earlier at Pinehurst.

He defeated Ireland's Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in a 36-hole final to clinch the £1 million ($3 million) cheque and the richest prize in golf.

At Wentworth, in Surrey, England, he joins a class field containing the likes of McGinley, South Africans Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman, Adam Scott of Australia and Britons Luke Donald, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal and defending champion, Angel Cabrera of Argentina, are also in the €4.25 million ($12.8 million) tournament.

"It's nice to be back on a golf course where you won before and winning the HSBC world matchplay brings out fond memories," said Campbell.

"I will be feeding off those memories this week. I want to add this BMW Championship, a strokeplay event, to my matchplay title.

"It's an important event not only for me but for all the players. It's the European Tour's flagship event and apart from the British Open, it's the biggest tournament in Europe and a victory every European Tour member wants on his CV."

Campbell has a good record at Wentworth. He was second in his first appearance there in 1995, and fourth in 2001 and 2002. He was eighth last year.

"Playing Wentworth, for me, is like going back to St Andrews as it's the same sort of feeling," Campbell said.

Campbell will look to improve his standing on the European Order of Merit. He is 37th on the money list. The first prize this weekend is worth €708,330.

- NZPA