Campbell named Europe's top man

Michael Campbell’s victory in the US Open has won him the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year award.

Even though Colin Montgomerie captured a record eighth order of merit title, Campbell was the unanimous choice of a panel of writers and broadcasters.

The 36-year-old birdied the final hole of a qualifying tournament simply to earn a place in the US Open, then held off world number one Tiger Woods at Pinehurst to become New Zealand’s first major champion since Bob Charles in 1963.

Brighton-based Campbell followed up the victory by claiming golf’s biggest cheque – £1million – in the HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth in September.

It completed a remarkable transformation in his fortunes. Campbell suffered a horrendous slump a year ago and began 2005 by missing the halfway cut in his first five tournaments.

He fell out of the world’s top 100 and did not qualify for the Masters at Augusta.

“To be named European Tour Golfer of the Year for the first time is a wonderful honour,” he said today.

“Just six weeks ago I was thrilled to be awarded honorary life membership, so this accolade simply sets the seal on a season I will never forget.

“The European Tour helped to make me the player I am. Over the past 10 years I’ve learned a lot about myself and my golf game and without question the European Tour has made a huge contribution to my improvement and success as a golfer.

“I was disappointed not to win the order of merit, but all credit to Colin Montgomerie. He played incredibly well over the second half of the season and I will be out to get him next year.

“It was fun for us and fun for everyone else watching the race.

“I have great memories of winning my first major and capturing the HSBC World Match Play Championship.

“Those were satisfying accomplishments to provide the perfect end to the perfect year for both myself and my family.”

Montgomerie was not at the Masters either, but three months later he finished runner-up to Woods in the Open and on his return to St Andrews in September won the Dunhill Links Championship.

Third place in the following week’s American Express World Championships took him back to the top of the order of merit for the first time since his seventh successive title in 1999.

Only Campbell could then deny him that crown come the final event, the Volvo Masters, but Montgomerie was not to be denied.

European Tour executive director George O’Grady said: “There were many highlights during a superb season and Michael’s victory in the US Open captured the imagination of golf observers the world over.

“The race for the order of merit title between Michael and Colin, which came down to the wire at Valderrama, was another great source of excitement and drama, but ultimately Michael’s victories carried the day.”

Padraig Harrington’s two wins in America, David Howell’s rise up the world rankings and Stephen Dodd’s emergence – he beat Howell in a play-off for the Irish Open and last month teamed up with Bradley Dredge to give Wales their first victory in the World Cup since 1987 – were among other performances considered by the panel.

Campbell took the main prize conclusively in the end, but Howell was named Golfer of the Month for November following his head-to-head victory over Woods in the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.