On Thursday at the Senior British Open, the 2005 U.S. Open winner accidentally hit his golf ball with a practice swing. Yep, pros are capable of doing this too. Thanks to Michael Verity for sharing the funny clip on Twitter:

Cambo went full Zach Johnson at the Senior Open ?

Apparently wasn’t even the first time he’d done it in a Tournament! pic.twitter.com/n6GDtEaHh0

— Michael Verity (@MichaelVerity) July 22, 2021

Whoops. And yes, somewhere, Zach Johnson—a reference to his similar gaffe at the 2019 Masters—is smiling.

For those of you who aren’t aware, since the ball hadn’t been put into play yet on the hole there is no penalty for doing this, and Campbell was able to re-tee. So that annoying guy you play with that always yells, “That’s one!” when someone in your group accidentally knocks his/her ball off the tee is wrong. And annoying.

As you can see, Campbell had a good chuckle over it when it happened, probably in part because he knew there was no harm, no foul. The eight-time European Tour winner also confirmed after his round that he knew this from experience:

Yes that’s right, it was my second time. ?

— Michael Campbell (@MCampbellgolf) July 22, 2021

Unfortunately, there weren’t too many other funny moments for the 52-year-old during an opening a five-over-par 75 at Sunningdale that left him 10 shots off the lead shared by Darren Clarke and James Kingston. In any event, if you ever find yourself on a tee box with Cambo, keep your head on a swivel.

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In 2018 I wrote a piece for GolfDigest.com titled “The Most Underwhelming U.S. Open winners in history.” When our Golf Digest Twitter account put it out again as part of our U.S. Open preview coverage, it struck a nerve with one of those champions, Michael Campbell, who had an incredibly appropriate—and quite funny—response of his own via Twitter.

The first tweet had the trophy poolside with piece of paper over it, noting it as the “2005 Underwhelmed U.S. Open Trophy.”

Just made a few adjustments to the trophy to correlate with this underwhelming story. @usopengolf #golf @PinehurstResort pic.twitter.com/Lq2WR375zR

— Michael Campbell (@MCampbellgolf) September 13, 2020

A follow-up tweet had Campbell putting a piece of paper with a sad face on his U.S. Open trophy, detailing that he had shown the trophy the article.

The playful replies remind me of how Twitter can actually be a great tool for either debate or replying to something when done properly. Campbell’s not-so-subtle jabs at the article were well-placed, well-executed and devoid of the kind of abject negativity that sometimes turns social media into something not all that social. But it also made me think, was what was written unfair?

I don’t think so and here’s why: I think perhaps Campbell (and Lee Westwood and Eddie Pepperell, who also chimed in) didn’t understand the intent of the article or our definition of “underwhelming” and to be candid, we didn’t articulate that well enough, either.

The underwhelming is not necessarily in response to the win in the moment. It is with the luxury of having time to digest a fuller portion of the winners career. As noted, Campbell was a reasonably accomplished player at the time although he had limited success on the PGA Tour. His win was met with predictions of better things ahead, but that never materialized, primarily due to injury, something that probably would have been a good thing to mention as well.

So yes, given a mulligan a couple of extra sentences might have added the proper context. But I’m a one-ball-off-the-tee kind of guy and prefer to take ownership—whether it be my golf game or writing. I’ll take the heat for maybe not enough of an explanation but think the list—and any list is up for debate—is reasonably fair.

And a tip of the cap to Michael Campbell for his response. Definitely nothing underwhelming about that.

So as a good parent should I decided to show “2005 underwhelmed US Open trophy” the article and clearly he’s very upset. pic.twitter.com/hCDIToWChi

— Michael Campbell (@MCampbellgolf) September 13, 2020

The post Michael Campbell had a perfect response to us calling him an ‘underwhelming’ U.S. Open champ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By John Huggan
In the absence of many star names plying their trade primarily on the PGA Tour Champions in the United States, what was the European Senior Tour, then the Staysure Tour, has always struggled for attention. Nostalgia was its biggest selling point, the circuit reliant on pro-am income to survive.

Although specifics in terms of scheduling and the number of future events are still to be determined, things are going to be different in 2021. For one thing, the Staysure name will be replaced by the rather grand Legends Tour. And for another, Staysure Group CEO Ryan Howsam has assumed a majority equity share in what is, in golf, a unique ownership structure. Working alongside the head of the Legends Tour, Mark Aspland, Howsam, who founded the travel insurance company in 2004, will oversee the tour’s commercial strategy.

In that regard, the so-far lack of many recognisable names to build events around has been acknowledged and rectified. Going forward, former Ryder Cup captains Darren Clarke, Mark James, Tom Lehman, Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam, along with 2005 U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell and 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, will act as the tour’s “official ambassadors.” They will, according to the press release announcing the changes to the 50-and-older circuit, “play a key role in outlining the tour’s vision in the months to come.”

“Our major champions, our past Ryder Cup players and captains and our European Tour winners have considerable pulling power,” Aspland said. “The accessibility to them offered by our new structure will form the basis of our growth plan moving forward.”

Indeed, perhaps the biggest difference will be in what Howsam calls the “alliance format” of the as-of-now undetermined number of 2021 events, in which amateurs will get the chance to play alongside the pros in tournament conditions. An additional focus on the amateur experience, will include a selection of celebrity pro-ams aimed at bringing together the “legends of golf” with others from sports, music and entertainment.

“I see the re-launch of this tour as something which could change the landscape of over-50s golf forever,” said James, a seven-time Ryder Cup player. “The alliance format brings a different dimension to competitive golf and will give the players the opportunity to meet a plethora of people and form new relationships, while amateurs will continue to hear the many stories from our lives on tour.”

Entry to that sociable atmosphere will come at a premium price. Membership into the “Legends Club” will cost £60,000, a source told Golf Digest. There will also be a dedicated Order of Merit where the amateurs will compete for a place in the end-of-season Tour Final by playing in three-day alliance events at some of the “best golf courses in the world.”

The post European senior tour preps for 2021 overhaul, eyes unique playing experiences for amateurs appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By John Huggan
Chances are, Michael Campbell isn’t going to win this week’s British Masters. Despite shooting an opening three-under-par 68 over the endlessly undulating Close House course in northeast England, the 51-year old, Spain-based New Zealander is already four shots off the early pace set by Scotsman David Law.

Nevertheless, Campbell might be the most heartwarming/interesting/surprising story emanating from the first of the six events on the European Tour’s “U.K. Swing.”

In his first competitive round in eight months—he started practising in earnest only two weeks ago—the 2005 U.S. Open champion made six birdies to more than offset his three dropped shots. With 21-year old son, Thomas, on the bag for the first time, Campbell performed almost as if he was back at Pinehurst No. 2, scene of his biggest triumph 15 years ago.

No, he wasn’t able to keep up with playing partners Justin Walters and Benjamin Poke off the tee, but combined with distance control he described as “very pleasing,” Campbell’s experience—he has top-six finishes in all four major championships—saw him outscore both of his younger companions.

RELATED: You have to see European Tour pro’s face on this putt

“Lucky enough the course is fast and firm, so you don’t have to hit it long here, which is an advantage for me,” he said, still purring contentedly over the 6-iron he struck to four feet on the short 14th. “I’ve seen the kids playing out here, they hit it so far. This week it’s not a huge advantage, it’s about accuracy and putting your drives in the right positions. But I must admit to being a little surprised at doing so well. All I’ve really done recently is play a few games with a couple of mates.”

Perhaps the most important part of the day for Campbell, who played the leading role within the four-man New Zealand side that won the World Amateur Team Championship as long ago as 1992, was performing with such distinction in front of his younger son.

“I’m playing more for Thomas than myself to be honest,” he continued. “We hadn’t seen each other for seven months, until a few days ago. I’m putting my ego aside and trying hard for him. So it will mean more to play well this week. Doing something for someone else always means more.”

Going forward, Campbell’s main focus was supposed to be senior golf. But the cancellation of the [Staysure] European Senior Tour—where he teed-up six times last year—and no qualifying school for the Champions Tour in the U.S. this season means his attention will turn to occasional forays onto the European circuit where he won eight times between 1999 and 2005.

“I’m disappointed about the Champions Tour,” he admitted. “It’s hard to get in there. The big problem right now is that pretty much everyone is playing after sitting at home for so long. Spots are at a premium. Then again, I asked for 15 invites last year and got one. It doesn’t mean much, being a major winner. Paul Lawrie [1999 Open champion] has had exactly the same problem. But Monty (Colin Montgomerie) is fine because he’s in the Hall of Fame.”

More immediately then, Campbell will be sticking with the U.K. swing. He’s unsure as to how many events he will play over the coming weeks—“four, maybe five”—citing his age as a deterrent to teeing up six weeks in succession. What he won’t be doing is going back to the Marbella base he has called home for the last seven years.

“That’s not practical given all the regulations currently in place,” he said. “So, it’s actually easier for me to keep playing. Over there you can only do essential shopping or pharmacy visits. You have to produce a receipt to prove where you have been, or it is a €600 fine. So, I cooked at home a lot over the last three months. I went through all of Jamie Oliver’s recipe book. I refined my talents as a chef.”

And, judging by his play so far, his golf skills too.

The post With son on bag, former U.S. Open champ Michael Campbell savouring rare chance to compete appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By E. Michael Johnson
Former USGA president Sandy Tatum was fond of saying the mission of the U.S. Open was to identify the best players in the world. For the most part, the governing body fulfills that quest. Occasionally, however, a champion pops up with questionable credentials as the Open has produced its share of upset winners in its 123-year history—Cinderfella stories in which players’ careers enjoyed a jumpstart, a resurrection or simply one moment of glory. Here we present the 10 most underwhelming U.S. Open champions—winners who raised not only their profile, but plenty of eyebrows as well, by capturing the national championship.

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1. Michael Campbell, 2005
Leading up: Although fairly well known on the international circuits, the New Zealander had little success on the PGA Tour, playing in 62 events with no wins and only six top-10s before Pinehurst. To make the Open field, Campbell needed to hole a six-foot birdie putt on his final hole of Sectional Qualifying.

How he won: Campbell won the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 via good play of his own and collapses by others. Starting the day four behind Retief Goosen, Campbell managed a one-under-par 69 while the three other golfers in the final two pairings failed to break 80.

Aftermath: Campbell’s win turned out to be his lone PGA Tour triumph and signalled a demarcation line in his career. From 2006-2013, he played in 37 PGA Tour events with just one top-10 performance. Take out 2006 and he played in 25 events, missing 18 cuts and withdrawing in one other. In 61 rounds over that span, he posted just one round in the 60s with 45 rounds of 75 or higher—11 of them in the 80s.

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Bettmann
Ed Furgol and Jack Fleck (right) sit in front of large scoreboard smiling at crowd after Fleck had tied Ben Hogan and forced a playoff at the 1955 Open.

2. Jack Fleck, 1955
Leading up: The club pro from Davenport, Iowa, won less than $6,800 in 31 tour events prior to 1955 U.S. Open. Fleck came to Olympic Club having finished no better than T-10 in any tour event in 1955.

How he won: Made two birdies over the final four holes to tie Ben Hogan. In the playoff, Fleck birdied Nos. 8, 9 and 10 to go three ahead. Hogan got to within a stroke, but double bogeyed the 18th.

Aftermath: Fleck had a steady, if unspectacular career, winning two more events. His best year was 1960, when he ranked 18th in earnings. He threatened at that year’s U.S. Open at Cherry Hills, finishing T-3, three strokes behind Arnold Palmer.

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3. Orville Moody, 1969
Leading up: After serving 14 years in the Army, Moody joined the tour in 1968, finishing 103rd in earnings. He came into the Open ranked 26th in earnings in 1969.

How he won: Moody trailed Miller Barber by three entering the final round at Champions Golf Club near Houston. But Barber bogeyed five of the first eight holes in the final round, leaving Moody to duel Bob Rosburg for the title. After Rosburg missed a three-footer on the 72nd hole, Moody, a superb ball-striker, parred the 18th to win by one.

Aftermath: The Open was Moody’s lone win during a 16-year PGA Tour career in which he finished outside the top 100 in earnings more often than not. His senior career, however, was as surprising as his Open triumph as Moody captured 11 titles (including the 1989 U.S. Senior Open) and won more than $3.5 million.

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4. Sam Parks Jr., 1935
Leading up: Parks learned the fundamentals of the game from Gene Sarazen in 1922 but didn’t play professionally until 1933. He had just four top-10s (including a second in the Pennsylvania Open at Oakmont CC in 1934) in two-plus years prior to his Open win.

How he won: Park played Oakmont more than 100 times before the Open. The preparation paid off as he was tied for the lead after 54 holes. The final round was played in poor weather, and none of the players in the top 20 broke 75. Despite bogeying three of the last four holes, Parks’ 76 was enough for a two-stroke victory.

Aftermath: Parks quit the tour in 1942 and went to work for U.S. Steel, eventually becoming a member of Oakmont.

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5. Tony Manero, 1936
Leading up: Although Manero, a club pro by trade, fashioned a handful of wins in lesser professional events, he needed to prevail in a playoff during qualifying to make the field in 1936.

How he won: Harry (Lighthorse) Cooper shot what would have been a tournament-record 284 on the Upper Course at Baltustrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., but Manero’s final-round 67 let him finish two strokes better. Playing with boyhood friend Gene Sarazen, who had requested the pairing, calmed Manero’s nerves, but after Manero holed out on the 72nd green, a complaint was filed with the USGA claiming Sarazen had provided Manero advice during the round. The USGA reviewed the matter, decided there was no validity to the claim and let Manero’s win stand.

Aftermath: Manero collected on a $50 bet he had made on himself the final day. A member of the 1937 U.S. Ryder Cup team, he reached the semifinals of the 1937 PGA and won the 1938 Glen Falls Open. He effectively quit the tour after World War II, later opening a steakhouse in Greenwich, Conn., with his brother-in-law.

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6. Cyril Walker, 1924
Leading up: Even Walker, whose lone claim to fame was winning the 1920 Pennsylvania Open, questioned his chances. “It takes a strong man to stand the strain of 72 holes over two days,” said Walker, who weighed a mere 118 pounds. “I’ll crack on the second day.”

How he won: Walker, an agonizingly slow player, shot steady, if unspectacular rounds of 74-74-74-75 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., good enough for a three-shot win over defending champ Bobby Jones.

Aftermath: Walker never won another tournament after his Open triumph. He played in only three more Opens, his best showing a T-47 in defense of his title. Heavy drinking led to health issues and he died in 1948 at age 56.

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7. Johnny Goodman, 1933
Leading up: Goodman made the finals of the 1932 U.S. Amateur. He also finished T-11 in the 1930 U.S. Open.

How he won: Holding a six-stroke lead over Ralph Guldahl entering the final round at Illinois’ North Shore Country Club, Goodman proceeded to play a wild front nine, going eagle-birdie on Nos. 2-3 to take a nine-shot lead before butchering the next six holes in six over par. After another bogey on 14, his lead had evaporated. Guldahl then missed a four-foot par save on the 72nd hole, handing the tournament back to Goodman, the fifth—and last—amateur to win the Open.

Aftermath: Goodman continued his fine play as an amateur, making it to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur in 1935 and 1936 before winning a second Amateur crown in 1937. Goodman eventually turned pro but did not duplicate his success while a member of the play-for-pay set.

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Chris McGrath/Getty Images

8. Lucas Glover, 2009
Leading up: A workhorse since joining the PGA Tour full time in 2004, Glover played an average of 29 events a year from 2004 through 2008, allowing him to top $1 million in earnings three times during that span. Top-notch results, however, were hard to come by as he had two top-three finishes in 152 events, including a win at the 2005 Funai-Disney Classic. In 2009, however, Glover finished T-3 in the Buick Invitational and T-2 at the Quail Hollow Championship prior to the Open at Bethpage Black.

How he won: Although he missed the cut in his three previous Opens and got in the field via sectional qualifying, Glover shot a second-round 64 at soggy Bethpage Black. During the rain-induced Monday finish, Glover stood four over par on the day on the 16th hole, but hit his approach to six feet and made the putt, leading to a two-shot win over Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ricky Barnes.

Aftermath: Although he picked up another win at the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship, a knee injury hampered him in 2012, and he hasn’t played well since with just one top-three in 157 starts since 2012. That led to Glover losing his PGA Tour card after the 2014-’15 season, but he regained it through the Web.com Finals.

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9. Billy Burke, 1931
Leading up: Although considered one of the more accurate players of his day, Burke’s resume listed only four non-tour wins.

How he won: The marathon of all Opens had Burke and George Von Elm tied after 72 holes at Ohio’s Inverness Club. The 36-hole playoff also ended in a tie, necessitating a second 36-hole face-off—a rollercoaster affair that saw six holes with two-stroke swings and only 11 holes in which Burke and Von Elm had the same score. After the first hole in the afternoon 18 Burke never trailed again, winning by one.

Aftermath: Extensive overtime caused USGA to move to 18-hole playoffs. Burke made the semifinals of the PGA in 1931 and played on 1931 and 1933 Ryder Cup teams. Burke won only one more individual title, at the 1935 Cascades Open.

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10. Ed Furgol, 1954
Leading up: Although he left the tour full-time in 1951 to pursue a club professional job in Missouri, Furgol had stretches where he was an ironman, playing more than 40 tournaments twice. Although one of the tour’s top earners, Furgol won just twice prior to the 1954 Open.

How he won: Furgol, who had a withered left arm and hand from a boyhood accident, played magnificently steady golf over the final round at Baltusrol Golf Club’s Lower Course, putting 16 pars on the board against a pair of bogeys (both three-putts) to beat Gene Littler, who missed an eight-footer to tie, by one.

Aftermath: Although he was named the PGA’s Professional Golfer of the Year for 1954, health problems in the form of bone spurs in his good arm effectively ended his playing career in 1957.

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