Michael Campbell: 2008 US Open Player

Michael Campbell was born on February 23, 1969 in Hawera, Taranaki. He had childhood dreams of playing for the All Blacks. He was talented at other sports apart from rugby, and soon realised his golfing talents were significant. He first represented New Zealand in a golfing capacity in 1988, and turned professional in 1993.

Michael Campbell, 2008 US Open player, is now a member of the European Tour and finished fourth on the European money list in 2000, appearing in the top ten of this list again in 2002.

Michael Campbell's most significant finishes

The most significant finish by Michael Campbell to date has been his win at the 2005 US Open. He also won the one-million-pound HSBC World Match Play Championship in the same year.

Also in 2005, Michael Campbell came 5^th in The Open Championship and 6^th in the PGA Championship. In 1995 he managed a 3^rd place in The Open Championship.

2005 US Open winner

Michael Campbell won the 2005 US Open with an even score of 280, two strokes better than runner-up Tiger Woods. This tournament was played at Pinehurst, and to qualify for the tournament in the first place Campbell had his work cut out for him. The United States Golf Association had for the first time introduced European qualifying into the US Open, which left Campbell with a real chance of qualifying, which he did after sinking a 6-foot birdie putt.

Michael Campbell became the winner of the 2005 US Open after he ousted defending champion Retief Goosen and held off a determined effort from Tiger Woods.

Interestingly, Campbell had missed the cut for the previous four US Opens he had entered, and again failed to make the grade in 2006. He came 58^th in 2007.

His 2005 US Open win resulted in Michael Campbell receiving Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour.