Campbell named PGA Tour golfer of year

Virginia Water:

US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand has been named PGA European Tour golfer of the year. Campbell was the unanimous pick by a panel of journalists and tour staff. He also won the World Match Play Championship, and was runner-up for the European money title to Colin Montgomerie. "To be named European Tour golfer of the year for the first time is a wonderful honour," Campbell said yesterday. "Just six weeks ago I was thrilled to be awarded Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour, so this accolade simply sets the seal on a season I will never forget." He started the final round of the US Open in June at Pinehurst four shots behind the lead, but ended up winning by two from Tiger Woods for his first major, and the first by a Kiwi since Bob Charles at the 1963 British Open. Campbell also tied for fifth at the British Open, and for sixth at the US PGA Championship. In September, he added the World Match Play, beating Paul McGinley of Ireland over the final 36 holes at Wentworth. From a poor start to 2005 in which he missed five straight cuts, including the New Zealand Open, and fell out of the top 100 world ranking, 36-year-old Campbell rebounded with seven top-10 finishes, and four more in the top 20 to end the year ranked 15th. He and Montgomerie vied for the European money title to the last event in October at the Volvo Masters in Valderrama, but Campbell placed 14th and Montgomerie tied for third to clinch a record eighth Order of Merit. (AP)