Golf: Don't write off Campbell, warns Tataurangi

Phil Tataurangi is tipping Phil Mickelson as the man to beat in the US Masters at Augusta, starting Friday morning our time.

Mickelson heads into the year's first major in red hot form, having stormed to victory at the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta.

He finished the tournament at 28-under-par, 13 shots clear of the field.

Tataurangi says that will have done wonders for his confidence heading into Augusta and as the American has also had some success at the course in the past, he will probably be a firm favourite alongside Tiger Woods.

While Mickelson will be tough to beat, Tataurangi warns punters not to write off Michael Campbell's chances just yet.

The New Zealand number one heads into the tournament in questionable form, having missed the cut in his last two starts in the States.

However, Tataurangi says the US Open Champion could still step up at Augusta.

He says Campbell has just taken a bit of time to settle back into his game after taking time off, and points out that Campbell also had a slow start to the year in 2005, and then it turned out pretty well for him.

- NEWSTALK ZB