Major winner Michael Campbell believes the course at this week's Malaysian Open could work in his favour because it reminds him of Pinehurst where he won the U.S. Open in 2005.
"If you miss the fairways you are hitting second shots sideways, just like the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, so it's nice to come to a golf course where I can feed off the positives from my win two years ago," Campbell told reporters on Wednesday.
"The tropical grass here is very similar to Pinehurst -- very thick up top and very thin at the bottom so the ball sinks right down."
He will be up against Britain's Lee Westwood, who won at the Saujana Golf & Country Club in 1997, and two-times champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.
"I've played this course many times. Even in my holidays I will come here and practise," said Thongchai, winner in 2004 and 2005.
"I like the course. It's not very long but it's very tricky. The greens are tough but if you know the greens, you know where to putt and make easier putts."
Ryder Cup player Westwood also has fond memories of the course but the 33-year-old, who has not won on the European Tour since 2003, thought some things had changed since his Malaysian victory 10 years ago.
"I remembered playing very well and I liked it the first time I saw it," Westwood said.
"It's certainly a lot harder than I remember. Some of the greens have changed a bit. Some of the par threes on the back nine are a bit longer. I think it's a really good test.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm hitting the ball pretty good. It's a case of getting used to the greens and making a few putts," he added.
The tournament, which begins on Thursday, is co-sanctioned by the Asian and the European Tours.
del.icio.us
digg
reddit
stumbleupon
facebook
google
What are these 
Email This Page