Campbell - I'm not quitting

Former US Open champ to battle through slump in form

Last updated: 3rd March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Campbell - I'm not quitting

Campbell: terrible slump in form

My career has been a story of highs and lows and I have the benefit of knowing how quickly it can turn around for me.

Michael Campbell
Quotes of the week

Also see

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell insists he has no plans to quit the sport despite his dramatic and prolonged slump in form.

The New Zealander stunned the sport in 2005 when, having come through qualifying to compete, he held off Tiger Woods on the final day to win the US Open at Pinehurst.

It was the first time a Kiwi had won a major title since Bob Charles in 1963 and seemed to have announced Campbell's arrival as a world-class performer.

But while that was the obvious high point of the 41-year-old's career, there have subsequently been plenty of lows.

Campbell has missed the cut in 25 of his last 28 tournament appearances and now finds himself at 513 in the world rankings - he was 12th nine years ago.

Last season his best finish was a tie for 62nd in the SAS Masters in Sweden while this year has started in equally miserable fashion with three more missed cuts.

His latest wretched run of form has prompted speculation about his future, but Campbell has now come out to deny he is on the verge of retiring, despite his problems.

"After reading recent newspaper articles about myself I wanted to reassure you all that I am certainly not thinking about retiring," he told his personal website.

"I feel that some throwaway comments I made last week while still consumed with the disappointment of such a poor couple of rounds were misinterpreted.

Disappointment

"I've had some nice messages in and that is why I wanted to take the time to assure you that I am more determined than ever to find my form and get back to my best.

"I have been practising hard and working out intensively and I am actually striking the ball great on the range, but it isn't translating on the course as yet.

"I will persevere as I am absolutely determined to get myself back up those leaderboards. My career has been a story of highs and lows and I have the benefit of knowing how quickly it can turn around for me.

"I had a poor run of form before I won the US Open, so I know how soon things can change if I keep working hard. In the meantime, thanks for your support. I will be doing all I can to reward your faith in me."

Campbell, whose victory at Pinehurst earned him a ten-year exemption on the European Tour and a five-year exemption to the Open Championship and The Masters - admits that triumph probably played a part in his current plight.

Distractions

Having joined the major winners' club, he dedicated more time to off-course activities like his charitable foundation, but does not regret his actions regardless of their consequences.

"I must say I did get a bit distracted with off-course activities, which I take full responsibility for," he continued.

"I don't blame anybody else, it's my fault. The better you play, the more exposure you get. The more exposure you get, the more people want to be involved in your charities.

"I went the other way. I played less and focused more on my charities and my golf suffered. It's a catch-22.

"I was brought up with the philosophy that you were brought up with two hands - one to receive in life and the other to give back."

But Campbell is refusing to give up hope of rediscovering his best form and will tee it up once again in this week's Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

He will also be present at next month's Masters in what is the final year of his exempt status, looking to make the halfway cut for the first time in ten visits to Augusta.