Campbell out to avenge Goosen

SANYA – New Zealand’s Michael Campbell is plotting revenge this week against South African star Retief Goosen who is the defending champion at the Volkswagen Masters.

The 2005 US Open champion remembers vividly how Goosen sped off with a spectacular six-shot triumph in Beijing last year but the Kiwi ace is bent on turning the tables at Sanya’s Yalong Bay Golf Club. “I came close to winning but unfortunately Retief played too well and ran away with it.I remember he shot seven-under on the front nine during the final round,” said Campbell.”As soon as I knew I was coming back, I want to get my revenge.That’s why I’m here.Hopefully I can go one better.”The scenic Yalong Bay brings good vibes for the 37-year-old Campbell, who enjoyed a career-best season in 2005 with a maiden Major victory.Campbell ended a frustrating run of missed cuts at Yalong Bay during last year’s TCL Classic, finishing tied 12th, and it eventually led to his US Open triumph just months later.”When you’ve played well on a course, you always feel comfortable coming back,” said Campbell.”It’s nice to be back.This (venue) sparked my year in 2005 which led to the Open win.But when I played here 18 months ago, it was a different golf course.The rough is up and it’s going to be a lot tougher.”Like Campbell, who is chasing a first victory of 2006, the smooth-swinging Goosen is eyeing a repeat victory at the Volkswagen Masters.”I like the course and it’s going to be tricky and tough.I’m very much looking forward to the week and hopefully on Sunday I’ll have a chance to win it again,” he said.With eight top-10s this season, including two runner-up finishes and a third place at the US Masters, Goosen feels he should have already added to his tally of 25 international victories this season.China’s Zhang Lian-wei, a winner of five titles across the region, is hoping a new putter in the bag will spark a revival in form as he looks to improve on last year’s third place finish in the tournament.European Tour star Phillip Price of Wales and eight of this season’s winners on the Asian Tour, including Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and last week’s Taiwan Open champion Lin Wen-tang of Taian, will also challenge for the title.Nampa-AFP”I came close to winning but unfortunately Retief played too well and ran away with it.I remember he shot seven-under on the front nine during the final round,” said Campbell.”As soon as I knew I was coming back, I want to get my revenge.That’s why I’m here.Hopefully I can go one better.”The scenic Yalong Bay brings good vibes for the 37-year-old Campbell, who enjoyed a career-best season in 2005 with a maiden Major victory.Campbell ended a frustrating run of missed cuts at Yalong Bay during last year’s TCL Classic, finishing tied 12th, and it eventually led to his US Open triumph just months later.”When you’ve played well on a course, you always feel comfortable coming back,” said Campbell.”It’s nice to be back.This (venue) sparked my year in 2005 which led to the Open win.But when I played here 18 months ago, it was a different golf course.The rough is up and it’s going to be a lot tougher.”Like Campbell, who is chasing a first victory of 2006, the smooth-swinging Goosen is eyeing a repeat victory at the Volkswagen Masters.”I like the course and it’s going to be tricky and tough.I’m very much looking forward to the week and hopefully on Sunday I’ll have a chance to win it again,” he said.With eight top-10s this season, including two runner-up finishes and a third place at the US Masters, Goosen feels he should have already added to his tally of 25 international victories this season.China’s Zhang Lian-wei, a winner of five titles across the region, is hoping a new putter in the bag will spark a revival in form as he looks to improve on last year’s third place finish in the tournament.European Tour star Phillip Price of Wales and eight of this season’s winners on the Asian Tour, including Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and last week’s Taiwan Open champion Lin Wen-tang of Taian, will also challenge for the title.Nampa-AFP