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Important SN update for SouthlandLISTEN | Michael Campbell relives his crowning moment at 2005 US Open
Zac Papali'i • June 12th, 2024 3:47 pm
It's considered one of the greatest sporting moments in New Zealand history when Kiwi golfer Michael Campbell won the 2005 US Open by two strokes against Tiger Woods.
He became the first New Zealander to win that major tournament since Sir Bob Charles did it back in 1963.
Campbell is currently back at Pinehurst, North Carolina, revisiting the scenes of his famous win, where it will play host to this year's US Open teeing off on Friday.
SENZ Breakfast hosts Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg caught up with Campbell this morning where he recalled upon his motivation to reach that crowning moment.
“If I finished in the top 10, I’d get a second-hand Porsche. As a reminder I wrote 911 on my golf ball," Campbell said.
But then after three rounds, the then 36-year-old realised that he was coming tied for fourth at one over-par with Australia's Mark Hensby. This meant a change of heart in his ambitions, now wanting to purchase a brand-new Porsche which boosted his belief to win the US Open.
“I was thinking of upgrading the engine, changing the colours and working on the exhaust pipes. It was a great distraction for me."
Wearing a white golf shirt with a Maori motif while sinking the winning putt on the 18th green, it is an image that to this day resonates with Kiwi golf fans like Dagg.
New Zealand is known more for their global sporting achievements in other sports, but Campbell believes that his accolades can still inspire the people of his heritage and the younger generation in New Zealand.
It is rare to see Maori achieve superstardom in the world of golf, but it's something that the Hawera-born golfer wanted to prove on that day in 2005.
“I want to send a message to the younger generation that Maori can play golf as well, that was my focus."
These days, Campbell works as an ambassador for KiwiGolf to further youth interest in the sport by hosting coaching clinics in schools across the Wellington region. That love for giving back stems from an important lesson his grandmother taught him earlier in life.
"She told me you were born with two hands - one to receive, which I did, and one to give back. I have been more focused on the giving back aspect."
Listen to the full interview below:
