By T.P. McLEAN and NZPA
New Zealand's greatest golfer, Sir Bob Charles, has one reservation about the sport's latest Australasian sensation, Michael Campbell.
"I wish he didn't smoke," he said. "If he didn't, he could extend his life by two or three years."
Otherwise, Charles is astonished and delighted by Campbell's recent form, which has taken him to four victories on the Australasian Tour this season.
"He has found his confidence," he said. "Above a certain level of ability, this is the greatest factor in sport.
"His play from the tee and through the green is superb. On the green he is holing out from all over.
"I have no doubt that Campbell will give Tiger Woods a great fight in the world matchplay championship."
Charles is in Auckland to attend the Halberg Awards dinner tonight.
He will be out on the Hauraki Gulf for the start of the America's Cup final on Saturday and then return to his farm at Oxford in Canterbury before travelling to California to begin another season on the Senior PGA Tour.
Last year was his worst since he joined the Tour at 50 (he is now 64). He finished 48th on the money-list, earning less than $US400,000.
"My putting was terrible," he said. "More than once I failed to hole from as little as three feet. It was a nightmare.
"I have been in professional golf for more than 40 years. Soon it will be time to start taking things more easily."
Charles became the first New Zealander, and only lefthander, to win a major tournament when he won the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Anne's in England in 1963.
His eight-shot victory over American Phil Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff was described as one of the finest exhibitions of putting ever seen.
"Two or three years ago Michael Campbell was a strong contender for the British Open at St Andrews," said Charles. "I hope that his name will soon figure on the list of Open winners. He is an outstanding young New Zealander."
Meanwhile, New Zealand golfers are out to prove there is life without Campbell when they tee off in the Australasian Tour's penultimate event, the Canon Challenge at Castle Hill in Sydney today.
Campbell will miss the $A550,000 ($717,000) tournament as he is attending the wedding of former All Black Zinzan Brooke.
The tournament does not have the prestige of the recent Tour events and has opened the way for more lower-ranked golfers.
The top five New Zealanders on this year's order of merit will not be playing. They are leader Campbell ($A927,510), Victorian Open winner Greg Turner ($A122,155), David Smail ($A59,200), the injured Michael Long ($A56,055) and Frank Nobilo ($A55,795).
Leading the way for the Kiwis will be Paul Devenport, who has accumulated $A23,587 due largely to his eighth placing at the Coolum Classic, followed closely by Matthew Lane, who has been solid, and Marcus Wheelhouse.
The other nine New Zealanders have struggled with their opportunities this season. They are Stephen Scahill, Grant Moorhead, Richard Lee, Stuart Thompson, Steve Gordon, Tony Christie, Steve Alker, Mark Brown and Alistair Sidford.
Golf: Sir Bob has health tip for Campbell
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