Golf: Campbell wants the top ranking

Ben Campbell. Photo / Getty Images

The words roll out of Ben Campbell's mouth easily: "I want to be the No1 amateur in the world next year," the 19-year-old says.

It's what every amateur golfer wants to be but most don't come close. Campbell just might.

He was the fourth-best individual at the recent Eisenhower Trophy in Argentina, where New Zealand also finished fourth, and picked up another fourth-placed finish at the Asian Amateur Championships the week before.

On top of that, he won the Tauranga Open against professionals on the Charles Tour earlier this year, was second at the Australian Amateur and sixth in the Scottish Amateur.

He rose to a high of 14th in the world and is currently 25th after a period of relative inactivity.

He also beat Danny Lee two years ago to win the New Zealand under-23 title and won the prestigious Aaron Baddeley International Junior tournament in 2008.

Campbell knows what he wants and believes he knows how to get there. He clearly has the potential to ascend the golfing ladder; and has a self-belief rarely seen in New Zealanders.

Campbell's quest to become world No1 gathers pace at the end of the month when he enters qualifying for the Australian Open. He had expected to receive an invitation when he finished as top amateur last year but it didn't happen.

"You just need to shoot maybe four under and you're in," he says.

After that, he returns to play for Wellington at the inter-provincials at Paraparaumu before heading back to Australia. He has his next 12 months mapped out, including top amateur events around the world and as many professional events as possible.

He hasn't yet decided if he will turn professional in September or November.

He is fully funded by New Zealand Golf so doesn't need to rush to turn pro.

"I just have to stay patient," says Campbell, who can count All Black greats Sir Brian Lochore and Grant Fox among his supporters (Fox's son, Ryan, was in the Eisenhower side). "I had an OK year this year and think I can have a better one next year. I want to have an amazing year and do what Rickie Fowler has done, or even Danny Lee, who went straight onto the European Tour and was given plenty of money to turn pro.

"I don't think my game is ready to jump straight out there. I have been playing pretty good but I still have a few things I want to improve, like my putting.

"It's not so much about the money. I just want to jump onto a big tour where I can establish myself and get known. I definitely want to be on the PGA Tour in five years' time."