Buoyant golfer turns to home course for ISPS Handa New Zealand Open

Kiwi golfer Ben Campbell returns to his home course in Queenstown today brim-full of confidence for this week’s ISPS Handa New Zealand Open on the back of his breakthrough professional win.

Campbell, who plays out of Millbrook Resort which hosts the 99th New Zealand Open starting on Thursday, claimed the New Zealand PGA Championship in Palmerston North at the weekend.

Ben Campbell in action in the 2017 ISPS Handa New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown. 

 


His victory, along with his share of second place at the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open last year, sees the 26-year-old buoyed for further success at the country’s premier golf event, which is co-sanctioned by the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, and a partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

 

“Millbrook Resort is my home course now so it’s nice knowing the courses so well,” he said.

Campbell, who was in a three-way playoff to decide the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open last year, says a change in his putting could hold the key.

“I pretty much changed my putting two weeks ago. It felt like a pretty big change but I was pleased with how it held up. I managed to hole some great putts down the stretch yesterday.

“I had been struggling with my putting towards the end of last year. It felt like I could have had a few wins but the putter let me down. So I was really happy with how the putter held up.”

With his in-depth knowledge of both courses for the Open – Millbrook Resort and The Hills – and living at home, Campbell is confident and relaxed ahead of the $1.2 million tournament starting on Thursday.

“I have a couple of things I want to work on this week. But it’s nice to stay at home and chill out. It will be a pretty big week but knowing the courses well means I can take it pretty easy coming in to it. Both courses look in great shape and the greens are really good on both of them.”

The final six players to complete the 144-strong professional field will be decided in two final qualifying tournaments today at Paraparaumu Beach and Cromwell golf courses.

There will be 144 professionals playing one round each at Millbrook Resort and The Hills, before a cut for the top 60 players plus ties for the final two rounds at Millbrook Resort.

 

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