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Campbell and Goosen want another Johnnie Walker

US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand and South African star Retief Goosen step into the Johnnie Walker Classic on Thursday looking to relive their past glory in this prestigious event.

Campbell lifted the Johnnie Walker Classic title in Taipei in 1999 against a stellar field that included world number one Tiger Woods and that maiden European Tour triumph has proven to be the catalyst to many more great accomplishments for the Kiwi, now a major winner and ranked 13th in the world.

His title ambition is also boosted immensely this week with the event being played at The Vines Resort and Country Club. Campbell said his familiarity with the challenging course "was his 15th club".

"It's great to be here and it's great to be back in Western Australia," said the 36-year-old Campbell. "Winning twice before here is obviously a golf course I really understand and do well in. I think the last nine holes at the Vines is one of the finest nine holes in Australian golf, especially the last three holes, toughest three holes in Australian golf.

"I feel that I've got 15 clubs in my bag, definitely, 15th club in the sense of being a confidence club. I think that this week is a great week for me. I'm fresh, I haven't played, but my mind and my body, it feels pretty good. I'm looking forward to getting back into it again."

While Campbell enters this week's US$2.3 million event a bit short on tournament play, he is raring to tee it up on Thursday. His only appearance this season was a month ago at the Mercedes Championships in Hawaii where he finished fourth.

"Last week I was watching a bit of golf on TV and I could feel my fingers tapping, my feet tapping as well because I'm ready to go now," said Campbell, who was voted the European Tour Player of the Year last season.

The smooth-swinging Goosen, a two-time US Open champion and ranked third in the world, enjoyed a majestic triumph in the 2002 Johnnie Walker Classic at Lake Karrinyup in Perth, winning by eight shots after entering the final round with a record 13-stroke lead. After finishing sixth in his first tournament of the season in Dubai last Sunday, the South African realises the need to improve on the quality of his ball-striking, saying it was at its best during the 2002-2003 seasons when he had won five titles worldwide during that span.

"I'm feeling confident with my putting. I putted very well last week, but I just need to get it a bit closer to the flags or get it on to the fairways from the tees and then give myself a better chance. I need to get my ball-striking back in shape. I know I'm not hitting my irons as good as I did a few years ago," said Goosen, who finished second in last year's event behind Australian Adam Scott.

"Hopefully this week, I can find my swing early on and put a few good rounds together and give myself a chance at the weekend. I'm looking forward to going out there and seeing the course today and tomorrow and I think I'll do well. I like playing in Australia. I've enjoyed the place. I'm looking forward to it."

Other top names who will feature in the Johnnie Walker Classic, tri-sanctioned by the Asian, European and Australasian Tours, include defending champion Scott, compatriot Robert Allenby, eight-time European number one Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and former US Masters winner Fred Couples of the United States

This morning, Goosen, Campbell, Montgomerie and Scott were immortalised in a two-metre high, 35-tonne ‘Mount Rushmore’-inspired sand sculpture on Cottesloe Beach, Perth to mark the launch of the 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic.

Asia's best players will also be on a mission to end their title drought in the event. Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, last year's Asian Tour number one, and Korean stalwart Choi Kyung-ju, a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour, are expected to lead the title charge.

"The field is strong here with many world-class players. I've got the determination of playing well and will try to win this tournament," said Choi.

The former powerlifter has played in three events on the US PGA Tour in 2006, posting two top-20s. With a fine-tuned swing in place, he hopes to end Asia's drought. "I'm pleased with my game although my short game wasn't really working well. I've put in a bit of work on it, so hopefully, it will be okay. The course here is challenging and you need to shape your shots out there to score well."

Another Asian player determined to sparkle at The Vines is Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol. The 31-year-old is a graduate of the innovative Johnnie Walker Rising Stars programme in Thailand and he hopes to repay their faith in him with a strong performance this week.

"Being apart of that development programme some 10 years ago has helped my career for sure. Not only did we undergo golf training, we also went through an education system and learned English," said Chawalit. "I've finished in the top-10 only once previously in the Johnnie Walker Classic, so hopefully, I can improve on that here.

"This event always has a strong field and this week is no different. I know that an Asian has yet to win this but if we keep trying, one of us can eventually win it," said the Thai.

February 7, 2006