Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) New Zealand’s star golfer Michael Campbell has confirmed his participation for next month’s Hero Honda Indian Open 2009, the richest full-field event on the Asian Tour with prize money of $1.25 million.
The tournament is to be played for the first time at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon from Oct 8 to 11.

The 40-year-old Campbell, who became part of the golfing elite when he held off world No.1 Tiger Woods to win the US Open in 2005, joins the list of high profile players, who have already confirmed their entries for one of the Asia’s most prestigious National Opens.

Campbell, called ‘Cambo’ in the golfing fraternity, was the 2005 European Tour Golfer of the Year, during which he also won the World Match Play Championship to his US Open title. The same year he was also tied fifth at the British Open and tied sixth at the PGA Championships.

Campbell, joins PGA Tour players, Indian star Arjun Atwal and two-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra of Sweden, in what has become a very strong field for India’s National Open.

“It is a great thrill for me to play the Hero Honda Indian Open,” said Campbell. “Golf is booming in India with great players, fantastic courses and a growing schedule of tournaments.

“I have heard a lot about the Indian Open, which is rich in history with notable winners like Peter Thomson and Payne Stewart down through the years. I hope to add my name to that list.”

Campbell has won more than 14 tournaments worldwide, including the Johnnie Walker Classic in Taiwan in 1999 where he got the better of defending champions Woods, thanks to a combination of natural talent and steely determination.