Golf: Campbell sees the bigger picture

Michael Campbell has explained how a change in mindset helped him hit the form of his career, today adding the world Matchplay Championship to the US Open title he won earlier this year.

Campbell won £1 million ($2.59 million) when he beat Irishman Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in the final at Virgina Water in England this morning.

He is now back to the top of the European Tour's Order of Merit with official earnings this year of £1,613,530.

The New Zealander's life has turned around this year after his breakthrough success in the US Open in June, his first major title.

That followed an unconvincingly start to the season when he was regularly missing cuts.

"I have (looked at) different aspects of my life since missing five cuts at the start of this year and there are other things that make you tick as a person apart from golf," Campbell said.

"There is a big universe out there and I have got to where I am now by working on those aspects that will remain personal.

"This week was a prime example of where I worked on a constant theme and a constant mindset and concentrating on that is going to enhance your performances.

"Paul was a hard man to knock over as he hung in there but when he messed up at 15 and 16 this afternoon that cemented the win for me.

"It's been a wonderful year so far and an incredible last four months."

Campbell's winning run

Michael Campbell's winning run at the HSBC World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth, England:

First round: bt Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 1 up
Second round: bt Steve Elkington (Australia) at extra hole
Semifinal: bt Retief Goosen (South Africa) 7 and 6
Final: bt Paul McGinley (Ireland) 2 and 1.

- NZPA