Defending Champion Campbell Eager to Build on Breakthrough Year and Land LIV Golf League Spot
It has been quite a year for New Zealand’s Ben Campbell since his sensational Hong Kong Open victory last November, and he’s hoping that some work with the putter during a recent short break will help his bid to defend his title and clinch The International Series Rankings title.
Campbell currently sits in fourth position on The International Series Rankings, following his victory at International Series Morocco in July and three top-10 finishes this year, including a T4 at the Black Mountain Championship and a T6 at the BNI Indonesian Masters in two of the last three tournaments.
The New Zealander, who was on the verge of quitting the game in the summer of 2023 due to injury, has enjoyed a welcome two-week break since the T6 in Jakarta. That has enabled him to recharge and put in some short game work ahead of his title defence this week, in the first of three tournaments in three weeks that will end the season and settle The International Series title.
Campbell famously drained a 15-footer on the par-four 18th hole at Hong Kong Golf Club last year to overcome 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia and Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand, and he’s hoping to get the flat stick back into that kind of form.
Reflecting on his breakthrough year since then, he said: “It seems like this year has gone so fast. It doesn't feel like it's been a year since I won in Hong Kong and it's great to be back. I played a few holes out there, and I've always really enjoyed this golf course. I’m just looking forward to getting out there, there is a bit of fine tuning that’s needed and then I’ll be ready to go on Thursday.
“It has been a busy year since the win last year, it's been flat out but it was a great win. I felt like I can win out here and it's just given me a lot of confidence. I think the last year before Hong Kong, I went close a lot of times and didn't quite get over the line and I learned a lot from that and it has been great going on and winning Morocco this year.
“My game felt really close in the last stint. I finished fourth (Black Mountain Championship), and then didn't have the greatest week, and then finished sixth (BNI Indonesian Masters), but never really felt like I had the putter going at all. So I did a bit of work when I was at home and I am looking forward to the last three events.”
American John Catlin currently leads the way on The International Series Rankings with 900.58 points, with Canadian Richard T. Lee in second on 660.64, Peter Uihlein of the USA on 621.10 in third and Campbell fourth with 597.63 points.
The 33-year-old admits Catlin is one win away from securing the rankings title, and a coveted spot on the LIV Golf League. However, he is still confident in his own chances.
Campbell, like Catlin, has enjoyed a season as alternate on the LIV Golf League, mixing with some of the best players in the world on a regular basis, and he is hopeful that the experience will improve his game. He said: “I think if John (Catlin) had another win, then he's probably sealed it, so every week is pretty important, there is now a lot to play for.
“I really enjoyed my time out on LIV Golf this year, I learned a lot. It's great when you're spending weeks with the best players in the world and I definitely took some confidence away from that. You know there was times when I played when I didn't feel like I played my best but still put a good score on the board so yeah, I think it's made me feel a lot more comfortable, especially out here and that’s exciting.”
Following the Link Hong Kong Open, two further elevated Asian Tour-sanctioned events in two weeks round off the season: International Series Qatar from 27-30 November and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers from 4-7 December.
For more information on The International Series, please visit: www.internationalseries.com
