Golf: Campbell works on accuracy for US Open

It will be a matter of fine-tuning for the defence of his US Open crown when New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell tees off in the Wales Open tomorrow morning (NZ time).

The US Open begins on June 15 at the Winged Foot Club in New York state and the Welsh tournament will be Campbell's final warm-up event.

With fairways on the Winged Foot course averaging just 25 yards in width, accuracy off the tee will be paramount.

Campbell arrived at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales, carrying a driver with the same specifications he used to win last year's US Open.

The club is about 1.27cm longer than he normally uses.

". . it's the same shaft I used in my driver to win the US Open so hopefully it will be a good omen for me this week, Campbell said.

"I was hitting the ball pretty well at Wentworth but I just felt I could get a bit more accuracy with a slightly longer shaft and it's seemed to have done the trick.

"I hit the ball well in practice on Tuesday and again today in the pro-am so I'm pretty happy with the change.

"My putting seems to have improved too.

". . . I spent considerable time on the practice putting green at Wentworth last Saturday where I managed to iron out a few problems.

"I then went out on Sunday and birdied five of the first six holes so I am really delighted to have improved that aspect of my game.".

Campbell finished 15th in Wales last year but at 20th in the world he arrives as the highest ranked player in the field that will take on the par-69 Roman Road course.

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain is currently ranked 38th.

Campbell has been drawn to play with Welshman Phil Price and England's Simon Khan for the first two rounds with the trio starting at 1.20am Friday (NZ time).

Also in the field is the Scotland pair of Colin Montgomerie and 2002 British Open winner Paul Lawrie.

European Ryder Cup Captain and overwhelming home favourite, Ian Woosnam will tee-up in the group ahead of Campbell with Nick Dougherty and Jimenez.

- NZPA