Fuente: © PGA European Tour
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PGA EUROPEAN TOUR: Michael Campbell Wins The 2005 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award

/noticias.info/ Michael Campbell has won The 2005 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award for the first time following a season in which he claimed his first Major title by winning the US Open Championship, captured the HSBC World Match Play Championship and finished runner-up to Colin Montgomerie in the Order of Merit race.

Those momentous achievements earned the 36 year old New Zealander the unanimous vote of a panel comprising the Association of Golf Writers, Television, Radio and The European Tour, who met in London to discuss a vintage crop of contenders for the 2005 Award. Among those also considered after a meritorious season were Thomas Björn, Angel Cabrera, Stephen Dodd, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, David Howell, Paul McGinley and Montgomerie.

Campbell receives the prestigious accolade following a 2005 season which he began inauspiciously in 80th place on the Official World Golf Ranking and with five consecutive missed cuts on The European Tour International Schedule but concluded with a ranking of 15th in the world and two massive titles to his name.

Despite having missed the halfway cut in the previous four US Opens, Campbell performed magnificently in North Carolina, starting the final round four shots behind Retief Goosen of South Africa and winning by two from Tiger Woods, having successfully come through the first US Open Qualifier held in the UK at Walton Heath.

Later in the season, Campbell beat Paul McGinley of Ireland 2 and 1 in the final of the HSBC World Match Play Championship, ensuring that the Order of Merit contest came down to a straight fight between Montgomerie and Campbell.

At Valderrama, it was Montgomerie who seized the day by sharing third place behind McGinley with Campbell in 14th. Consequently, Montgomerie finished on top with €2,794,222 to Campbell’s €2,496,269, securing that record-breaking eighth Order of Merit crown.

Campbell said: “To be named European Tour Golfer of the Year for the first time is a wonderful honour. 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.

“The European Tour helped to make me the player I am. Over the past ten years I’ve learned a lot about myself and my golf game and without question The European Tour has made a huge contribution to my improvement and success as a golfer.

“I was disappointed not to win the Order of Merit but all credit to Colin Montgomerie. He played incredibly well over the second half of the season and I will be out to get him next year! It was fun for us and fun for everyone else watching the race.

“I have great memories of winning my first Major in the US Open at Pinehurst No.2 and capturing the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth. Those were satisfying accomplishments and this Award provides the perfect end to the perfect year for both myself and my family.”

George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, commented: “There were many highlights during a superb season, and Michael’s victory in the US Open captured the imagination of golf observers the world over.

“The race for the Order of Merit title between Michael and Colin, which came down to the wire at Valderrama, was another great source of excitement and drama but ultimately Michael’s victories at Pinehurst and in the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth Club carried the day.”

The panel praised the quality on The European Tour during the 2005 season and the number of outstanding achievements. Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent for BBC Radio Five Live, said: "During the year David Howell emerged as one of the brighest golfing stars, Colin Montgomerie came back to his best but in Michael Campbell we had the outstanding candidate to be Golfer of the Year.

"He is European Tour through and through and his victory at the US Open was a victory for The European Tour."

Peter Alliss, the distinguished BBC Television commentator, pointed out: "If we were producing wine, we would call this a vintage year for European golf. There were many great deeds from many players in many countries and many circumstances.

"Michael Campbell has a home in Brighton and is a staunch supporter of The European Tour. To win the US Open with Tiger breathing down his neck on such a punishing golf course was terriffic. It's been a great year and the future looks very bright for European golf."

The importance of the performances by European Tour Members received high praise from Andy Farrell, Secretary of the Association of Golf Writers, who commented: "This has been a very significant year for The European Tour.

"There is a myth going around which suggests that a player has to go to the United States to climb the Official World Golf Ranking or win a Major Championship but this is simply not the case, as Michael Campbell, Colin Montgomerie, Angel Cabrera, David Howell and Paul McGinley have proved."

The Golfer of the Month Award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to November for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition.

Award winners in 2005 were England’s Nick Dougherty (January), Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (February), Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (March), England’s Luke Donald (April), Argentina’s Angel Cabrera (May), New Zealand’s Michael Campbell (June), Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie (July), England’s David Howell (August and November), South Africa’s Retief Goosen (September) and Ireland’s Paul McGinley (October). notas_de_prensa_archivo