Campbell reveals British Open love

Michael Campbell loves the British Open so much he wishes there were about 26 tournaments played on links courses during the year rather than just two or three.

And the New Zealander was not going to change his mind today even after a rather wayward start to his first practice round for next week’s championship at Hoylake.

Campbell hit five drives off the first tee and had to search for them all in the left rough.

Then he smashed a ball over the out-of-bounds bank right of the fairway at the dogleg third.

Accompanied by his coach Jonathan Yarwood, last year’s US Open champion was paying his first-ever visit to the Royal Liverpool Club and it immediately got his juices flowing.

“I look forward to this more than any other event – yes, more than the Masters,” said Campbell. “It’s just so unique.

“The wind can switch just 10 degrees and you’ve got a totally different challenge. There’s just a look to the Open I love.

“If I had my way we’d be on links about every second week of the year. There are so many great courses.”

It is 11 years now since Campbell, in only his second appearance, led at St Andrews by three with one round to play.

Standing on the final tee he still had a chance, but it needed an eagle two and although he drove to the edge of the green he two-putted and finished joint third a stroke behind John Daly and Costantino Rocca.

His best performance since then was fifth back at the Home of Golf last year.