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Michael Campbell Finds Old Form With New Driver Captures Irish Open After First-Hole Playoff Victory Contact Dean Stoyer BEAVERTON, Ore. (July 28, 2003) - Michael Campbell recently added a prototype 400cc forged titanium driver from Nike Golf to his bag, the same drive that has now found its way into a growing number Nike Golf's Tour staff bags. For Campbell the addition signaled the end of a 13-month drought as he captured the Irish Open at Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin, Ireland this past weekend. Campbell (-11) won in dramatic fashion, igniting an ideal drive down the left side of the 18th hole that led to a nine-iron from 146 yards that he hit to within three inches. The tap-in birdie earned Campbell a first-hole playoff victory over two fellow competitors and his first win since the Smurfit European Open at the K Club in Ireland last year. Campbell is the ninth member of Nike Golf's Tour staff to put the larger-head prototype driver into play, joining Rory Sabbatini, Trevor Immelman, Carl Petterson, Spike McRoy and Jason Gore, to name a few. The new design is slated to debut to the golfing public in the spring of 2004. At the current rate, Club Category Director Mike Kelly expects most of Nike Golf's Tour Staff to be in some form of the new driver by spring. In contrast to the new prototype 400, Campbell has been playing Nike Golf's Forged Pro Combo Irons since they debuted last summer. Despite the hurdles he's faced on-course over the past year, Campbell has stood by the Pro Combo progressive iron set which paid off this past weekend. In addition, Campbell plays Nike Golf's 58-degree forged wedge. The New Zealander became the seventh player to win with Nike Golf's new Tour Accuracy 2 in 2003. The victory was the ninth on the year for the ball, specifically the TA2 LNG with its faster core for longer distance. Campbell joins fellow TA2 LNG victors Immelman (2), Craig Stadler (2), Sabbatini, Grace Park, Beth Daniel, and Rob Johnson from the Canadian Tour. Campbell is also a full head-to-toe Tour Staff player for Nike Golf, sporting the latest designs from the leader in performance footwear and apparel. Nike Golf, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game in every product category. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. |