Golf: Forget last year's triumphs, says Cambo

Michael Campbell beside a 2m-high sand sculpture including his likeness at the Johnnie Walker Classic on Cottesloe Beach, Perth. David Cannon / Getty Images

PERTH - Michael Campbell regards next week's Halberg Awards as a chance to put 2005 behind him.

After playing the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth this week, Campbell will return home for the annual awards ceremony at Manukau on February 17 a hot favourite to win the supreme award.

As well as his triumph in winning the US Open championship at Pinehurst in June, Campbell won the HSBC World Matchplay Championship before finishing a close second to Colin Montgomerie in the European Tour Order of Merit.

The Wellingtonian was also a top-10 finisher in two other majors -- fifth in July's British Open and then eighth in the US PGA Championship.

However, once the awards have been handed out Campbell wants to close to door on season 2005 and focus on a new year of golfing rewards.

"It would be nice to close the chapter on 2005 by winning the Halberg Award," he said.

"But then it will be time to move on. Apart from just the one event, last month's Mercedes Championship, I've had six weeks off and I am back to work and looking forward to another great year.

"The Halberg awards will be the end of the line as 2005 is gone. It's a great memory, but it's now on to the future, 2006."

One of Campbell's off-course highlights in 2005 was his ticker tape arrival home to Wellington after winning the US Open. He was reminded of it when he saw recent television footage of tennis player Marcos Baghdatis arriving home in Cyprus.

He has recently moved to a new house in Sydney, while he and wife Julie also renewed their wedding vows.

- NZPA