The highlight of the golf year starts with the annual Masters Tournament in Augusta on April 6-9. The US Masters is the championship for champions and golf FANS across the globe are transfixed to their screens for 4 days waiting to see who will take the coveted prize. Sleepless nights tuning into American TV schedules is as disrupting as the 400m mountain Par 3 hole at Legend. 
Wives/Golf Widows mourn the loss of their husbands and children are told ‘Not to talk to Daddy’ till Monday. Understandably we hear you golfers say. But who will win? Exactly.
Who better to give you the lowdown on the main contenders and the inside scoop than golfing legend and US Open winner Michael Campbell, who scooped the biggest prize in golf history shortly after winning the 2005 US Open Trophy, the HSBC World Match Play Championship netting a cool £1,000,000 in the same year. He has also graced the tricky Augusta greens 10 times so knows the highs and lows of the world famous competition.
WHO IN YOUR OPINION ARE THE MAIN CONTENDERS FOR THIS YEAR’S MASTERS?
Rory McIIroy in my opinion is one of the main contenders. After an injury scare earlier in the year he has shown great form and is now fully fit to take on the challenging Augusta layout to complete his grand slam. Henrik Stenson is also one of my favourites to don the green jacket. He’s a powerful player and has an incredible short game, which is a wonderful combination if you want to play well that week.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE REIGNING BRIT CHAMPION DANNY WILLETT WILL DO THIS YEAR?
Danny has struggled with his game since he won last year and returning to the US Masters as the defending champion has that added pressure to perform well. But going back to Augusta and feeding off the memories and affirmations from 2016 will hopefully rekindle that motivation to play well again.
DUSTIN JOHNSTON IS CURRENTLY NUMBER ONE, DO YOU THINK HE STANDS A GOOD CHANCE?
Absolutely, Dustin Johnson is the full package. He has the firepower, deadly touch around the greens and is full of confidence after his recent win. He has shown great form going into Augusta this year after his most recent win in the World Championship in Mexico and has the qualities and repertoire of golf shots to win his second major.
THERE ARE 20 NATIONALITIES IN THE FIELD THIS YEAR. DO YOU THINK HAVING A DIVERSE MIX OF NATIONALITIES MAKES THE MASTERS MORE INTERESTING?
Yes definitely. This will generate more of a global interest all around the world through the TV coverage, so diversity is very important to help grow the game and encourage new players to take up this wonderful sport.
DO YOU MISS THE ATMOSPHERE OF MASTERS WEEK AND IN PARTICULAR THE CHALLENGE OF THE AUGUSTA GREENS?
I’ve been fortunate to play the US Masters on 10 occasions and loved every minute. It’s the combination of the course, crowds, the history and the drama that unfolds on the back nine on the Sunday afternoon that makes the atmosphere so special. The only way to describe the speed of the greens at Augusta, for example: if you imagine putting down the bonnet of your car and trying to stop the ball from rolling. Also throw into the equation the undulation and slope of the greens, makes it very difficult.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST FAVOURITE MEMORY OF AUGUSTA?
My first Augusta appearance was in 1996 and I was drawn in the first round with 6-time winner Jack Nicklaus. The crowds were incredible and the atmosphere was electric, it was a lifetime experience that will be forever embedded into my memory bank.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO DRIVE DOWN MAGNOLIA LANE FOR THE FIRST TIME?
The most famous piece of road in world golf. I made my maiden trip down Magnolia lane in 1996 in my brand new US Masters player’s car. It was so surreal and breathtaking at the same time.
WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU NEED TO HAVE WHEN PLAYING AUGUSTA?
Patience, confidence, resilience and self-belief.
IF YOU WERE TO DESCRIBE THE TRICKY 12TH TEE SHOT IN 1 WORD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Challenging.
IF YOU COULD, WOULD YOU TRADE YOUR US OPEN TROPHY FOR THE FAMOUS GREEN JACKET?
No, I’m happy with my US Open trophy but I did ask my good friend Darren Clarke if we could swap for a year the Claret jug (The Open Championship) he won in 2011.
IF YOU HAD WON THE JACKET, WHAT WOULD YOUR MENU HAVE BEEN FOR THE CHAMPIONS DINNER THE FOLLOWING YEAR?
Being a Maori from New Zealand I would cook a traditional dinner from home called a Hangi.
It involves digging a pit in the ground, heating stones in the pit with a large fire, placing baskets of food on top of the stones, and covering everything with earth for several hours before uncovering the Hangi.
WHAT IS THE PRESSURE LIKE TO BE A PRO GOLFER AND COMPETE IN FRONT OF MILLIONS OF VIEWERS?
Seeing TV cameras around you for the first time can be very daunting, unsettling and uncomfortable but over time you become accustomed to your new surroundings.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR COOL UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES?
It’s all about trusting your processors and having the inner belief that the preparation leads to confidence. The most powerful tip I can give anyone any one is to be in the present time and focus on the NOW.
ORIGINALLY FROM NEW ZEALAND, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO LIVE IN MARBELLA OF ALL THE PLACES IN THE WORLD?
Before living in Marbella we lived in Switzerland but had to move. I wanted to stay in Europe because I was still playing on the European tour. We’ve been to Costa Del Sol a few times and liked the weather, culture and access to numerous golf facilities that are available here.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE GOLF IN MARBELLA?
I love the abundance and diversity of golf courses in the Marbella region. It caters for all golfers whether you’re a beginner or a professional golfer.
DO YOU STILL PLAY REGULARLY?
After retiring 3 years ago I didn’t touch a golf club for 18 months, it was something I had to do to get away from the game for a while. But now I have the intention to play the seniors tour in 2 years time so I will definitely play more frequently and build up my work ethic to start playing competitively in 2019.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE GOLF COURSE HERE?
Alferini golf course at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE MICHAEL CAMPBELL GOLF ACADEMY BASED IN MARBELLA?
It all started with a conversation with Jack Nicklaus after I won the US Open in 2005. He simply said to me ‘Michael, congratulations for your first major win, now you have the responsibility to grow and nurture this game.’ This project, my first academy is something I always wanted to do after that conversation. The game has given me so much and it’s a privilege to be able to give back to the game in this way, helping people learn to play and enjoy this great game from anyone who wants to slash their handicaps to young, aspiring professional golfers.
We work holistically with each client ranging from lessons, club fitting, course management, and a personalised gym programme. The academy is a platform for me to pass on my knowledge and experiences to anyone who wants to learn.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO ANY YOUNG GOLFERS OUT THERE HOPING TO TURN PRO?
Professional golf is one the toughest careers you could ever consider pursuing. There’s no short cut to success but if you devote 10,000 hours to master the craft of golf, trust your instincts and the information you are given; the chances increase tenfold.
Golf is a solitary sport and if you’re seriously deciding to turn professional, you are likely to understand how much time it requires. In addition to the money put into the sport, golf can drain your time. It takes a lot time out of your life to practise and travel from various tournaments so you may have to sacrifice time with family and freinds, which in some cases like mine, would be leaving your home country to fulfil your dreams.
