Golf: Campbell thrilled by rising young talent

By CHRIS RATTUE

Michael Campbell has lauded the rise of new young golfing talent from this country.

The New Zealand No 1 was delighted with Mahal Pearce's success in winning the championship at Middlemore yesterday.

Campbell said there had been a lull in the development of young golfers about six years ago, but now players such as Gareth Paddison and Pearce were showing the way.

Campbell had a disappointing tournament, struggling to find the fairways during the weekend and finishing in a tie for ninth, four under the card and six shots behind Pearce.

"It's great to see local players coming through. There is a new group of guys there and it has to be good for the game," said Campbell, a trailblazer for a new era of golf in this country.

"I've seen a load of talent and I suppose the lull a few years ago was just one of those things that happen."

Campbell said he had enjoyed the tournament organisation and response from the public, but had been disappointed in his game.

"I finished in the top 10 ... but that's not very good at all. I struggled the whole week. It wasn't really a physical thing," he said.

"Professionally, very disappointing. Still, I've got another 10 years to try to win this tournament again."

Campbell softened his stance on the Middlemore course, saying changes made under Peter Thomson's direction had been positive, and the final green was not as treacherous as he had believed.

However, he stood firm over his criticism of the 17th green, which Thomson modelled on the famous St Andrews Road Hole.

"You should never copy the Road Hole. It's a sin," Campbell said.

"The copy is never as good. Design your own holes."

Meanwhile, Wayne Grady, the former PGA winner who also is chairman of the Australasian tour board, praised the running of the tournament, although he was angry about his own form after finishing in the tie for ninth.

Grady is believed to have been less than impressed with the greens on the first two days, but he said: "I'm disappointed in my result, but there's no complaints at all about the tournament."