KEY POINTS:
Michael Campbell is to play in his first New Zealand PGA Championship in February, at Christchurch's Clearwater golf course.
Campbell, who failed to make the cut in the New Zealand Open in Queenstown this month, said he was delighted to be able to play in the event for the first time.
The 2005 United States Open champion said the event was "one of the two great events on the New Zealand calendar".
"While I have been able to play in the New Zealand Open every year other commitments have stopped me coming to Clearwater."
He has not played in Christchurch since he was an amateur.
Campbell has a fond association with HSBC-sponsored events, having won the 2005 HSBC World Matchplay title and tying for third at the 2006 HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Clearwater is part of the Australasian PGA Tour and the second-tier US PGA Nationwide Tour.
The Michael Campbell Foundation, which works with young people and helps promote golf in New Zealand, will benefit from support from HSBC and the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said Campbell "will be a huge drawcard".
Ben Sellenger, chief executive of the PGA Tour of Australasia, said that anytime the winner of a major is added to a tournament field it brings something special.
"This adds an extra dimension to what is already an incredibly important event for the PGA Tour of Australasia," he said.
"We are happy to have Cambo back in our trenches as we battle the Americans."
Last year's winner Nicholas Thompson will play on the PGA Tour in 2008 after securing his playing card at the Nationwide Tour.
The winner of the New Zealand PGA Championship gains automatic entry into the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.
- NZPA
