New Zealand's reigning US Open champion Michael Campbell was on Thursday confirmed as a starter in the centenary Australian PGA Championship at Coolum from December 1-4, PGA Australia said.
The world number 14 won the 105th US Open Championship at Pinehurst in North Carolina by two shots from Tiger Woods to become the first New Zealander to win a major championship since Bob Charles in 1963. "I remember that the PGA of Australia were one of the first to extend a sponsors' invitation to me when I was struggling back in 1997-98 and I am glad to be able to repay their support after the most exciting year of my career to date," Campbell said in a statement Thursday.
The 36-year-old New Zealander also claimed the World Match Play Championship last month after beating Irishman Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final. Also vying with Campbell for the centenary Australian PGA Championship will be defending champion Peter Lonard and past champions Robert Allenby and Craig Parry, Mark Hensby, Nick OHern and Rod Pampling.