New Zealand joy at second Major winner

Michael Campbell was hailed in New Zealand on Monday after the Taranaki-born golfer held off a charging Tiger Woods to claim his maiden major title at the 105th U.S. Open.

The 36-year-old dug deep on the closing holes to clinch a two-shot victory on the fiendishly difficult Pinehurst No. 2 course in North Carolina on Sunday, prompting Sports Minister Trevor Mallard to herald the success as "fantastic news".

"This is a major achievement for Michael personally, and a major milestone for New Zealand sport," Mallard said in a statement.

Crowds of people gathered outside shops and in hotels to watch the nail-biting finish as Campbell bogeyed two of the last three holes but still held on to finish on even-par 280.

He became the first Kiwi to win a major title since left-hander Bob Charles took the British Open 42 years ago.

Campbell's parents watched at the windswept, nine-hole Titahi Bay Golf Club, just north of Wellington, where he learned the game as a youngster after his family moved to the area when he was five years old.

"The way Michael had been playing I couldn't see anybody catching him. He'd been playing really well over the three days previously, so there was no reason for him to buckle," his father, Tom Campbell, told Radio New Zealand.

"This is an event he's been dreaming about since he was young, I'm glad that he's fulfilled that dream."

The win was expected to give golf, already one of New Zealand's most played sports, a further shot in the arm.

"I think with respect to Sir Bob's victory in 1963, this would probably be considered a bigger win given that it's probably the hardest major of the four to win, particularly if you are not an American," said Garth Stirrat, chief executive officer of NZ's Professional Golfer's Association.

The popular Campbell has been New Zealand's most successful golfer for a decade since he burst onto the world scene in his rookie season on the European Tour in 1995, leading the British Open for the first three rounds before tying for third.

At one stage he was ranked in the world's top-20, but injury and lack of confidence saw his form dip.

"He and his coach have got together and worked hard for a couple of months around February, March and the results came after a lot of hard work. It's in the swing and confidence, a combination of both," Tom Campbell added.

"He is a confidence person ... that's the type of player he is."

However, any previous lapses were already forgotten on the streets of Wellington.

"Mate, he's now a legend. This is the best thing for New Zealand since the America's Cup," said one office worker who had taken an unscheduled break to sneak out and watch the win.

Sports-mad New Zealand, where rugby is a national obsession, was also quick to claim a slice of second place -- Woods's caddy, Steve Williams, is also a Kiwi.