1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,987 Speaker 1: from Newstalks edb head. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:15,147 Speaker 2: Of the New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook Resort next 4 00:00:15,147 --> 00:00:19,227 Speaker 2: weekend twenty six. Kiwis confirmed for the event, another three 5 00:00:19,347 --> 00:00:22,787 Speaker 2: qualifiers possibly to be added to that number. Among those 6 00:00:22,827 --> 00:00:25,787 Speaker 2: confirmed in the field is current world number one hundred 7 00:00:25,787 --> 00:00:29,027 Speaker 2: and forty six and the third best ranked key we 8 00:00:29,147 --> 00:00:32,467 Speaker 2: Mail currently, Ben Campbell, who recently joined the Live Tour 9 00:00:32,507 --> 00:00:33,107 Speaker 2: full time. 10 00:00:33,347 --> 00:00:36,107 Speaker 3: Ben Campbell a moment ago his second out at number fifteen. 11 00:00:36,747 --> 00:00:40,587 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, you're the whole Yeah. 12 00:00:45,387 --> 00:00:47,467 Speaker 2: Talking to some folks from the Rams Guilts team this 13 00:00:47,507 --> 00:00:48,067 Speaker 2: morning and. 14 00:00:47,987 --> 00:00:50,227 Speaker 3: They said look out for Ben Campbell this week. 15 00:00:50,227 --> 00:00:50,987 Speaker 2: Playing nicely. 16 00:00:51,187 --> 00:00:53,787 Speaker 3: Of course it really really fits his game. 17 00:00:53,987 --> 00:00:56,427 Speaker 2: Ben Campbell joins us on Weekend Sport. Ben, can we 18 00:00:56,467 --> 00:00:59,347 Speaker 2: start with your elevation full time to the Live Tour. 19 00:00:59,467 --> 00:01:02,267 Speaker 2: You were a reserve on the tour last year, grinding 20 00:01:02,267 --> 00:01:06,027 Speaker 2: away on the Australasian and Asian tours for well over 21 00:01:06,027 --> 00:01:08,227 Speaker 2: a day. How nice was it to get the phone 22 00:01:08,267 --> 00:01:11,587 Speaker 2: call to get invited aboard to live to a full time. 23 00:01:12,187 --> 00:01:14,987 Speaker 4: Yeah, that was obviously a nice call to get coming 24 00:01:15,027 --> 00:01:18,667 Speaker 4: into twenty twenty five, and yeah, I enjoyed being a 25 00:01:18,667 --> 00:01:22,267 Speaker 4: reserve out there last year, and yeah, after sort of 26 00:01:22,627 --> 00:01:25,267 Speaker 4: two solid years on the Asian Tour, it was nice 27 00:01:25,307 --> 00:01:25,987 Speaker 4: to get the call up. 28 00:01:26,467 --> 00:01:30,107 Speaker 2: How life changing is this for you? 29 00:01:30,227 --> 00:01:34,947 Speaker 4: Yeah? Obviously, you know it's an amazing opportunity and you know, 30 00:01:35,027 --> 00:01:38,347 Speaker 4: hopefully this year can sort of put my best foot 31 00:01:38,387 --> 00:01:42,267 Speaker 4: forward and you know, finished top twenty four on the 32 00:01:42,587 --> 00:01:44,827 Speaker 4: on the money list. I lived to secure myself like 33 00:01:44,867 --> 00:01:47,707 Speaker 4: another year. So yeah, we need it, We need to 34 00:01:47,707 --> 00:01:48,507 Speaker 4: play for this year. 35 00:01:48,827 --> 00:01:51,187 Speaker 2: You've played a couple of live tournaments so far already 36 00:01:51,227 --> 00:01:53,747 Speaker 2: this year Area that was under lights? What was that like? 37 00:01:54,867 --> 00:01:57,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, that was good. I enjoyed it. Sort of took 38 00:01:57,427 --> 00:01:58,787 Speaker 3: it obviously, took a couple of. 39 00:01:58,827 --> 00:02:01,347 Speaker 4: Days to get used to playing at the lights. It 40 00:02:01,387 --> 00:02:04,187 Speaker 4: was my first time, but yeah, I think by the 41 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:06,947 Speaker 4: end of the week it was it was really cool experience. 42 00:02:07,027 --> 00:02:11,747 Speaker 4: And yeah, you know it was still you know, the 43 00:02:11,787 --> 00:02:15,347 Speaker 4: same golf force and of course I've played a lot that. Yeah, 44 00:02:15,947 --> 00:02:16,827 Speaker 4: I really enjoyed it. 45 00:02:17,147 --> 00:02:18,867 Speaker 2: What were the main adjustments you had to make? 46 00:02:21,147 --> 00:02:21,907 Speaker 3: Not so like that. 47 00:02:22,427 --> 00:02:24,787 Speaker 4: The lighting on the around the putting green was really good. 48 00:02:24,827 --> 00:02:26,387 Speaker 4: I thought that was going to be the trickiest sort 49 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:28,267 Speaker 4: of reading the slopes and things like that. It was 50 00:02:28,307 --> 00:02:31,827 Speaker 4: more probably just like the longer clubs off the fiaway, 51 00:02:31,907 --> 00:02:33,987 Speaker 4: sort of like a three we off or a long 52 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 4: iron like a three iron off the fiaway is probably 53 00:02:37,427 --> 00:02:39,947 Speaker 4: what I found the trickiest. But then yeah, by the 54 00:02:40,027 --> 00:02:41,547 Speaker 4: end of the week, like the last round, I feel 55 00:02:41,587 --> 00:02:43,027 Speaker 4: like it was it felt. 56 00:02:42,827 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 3: Very normal to be to be playing under the. 57 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:49,467 Speaker 2: Lights and then to Adelaide, of course, and those are 58 00:02:49,467 --> 00:02:50,987 Speaker 2: the two you've played so far. How much do you 59 00:02:51,107 --> 00:02:54,107 Speaker 2: enjoy that the team elements of the live tour. 60 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:57,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think you know, obviously, golf can be pretty 61 00:02:57,667 --> 00:02:59,627 Speaker 4: lonely at times, and you know, you travel in the 62 00:02:59,627 --> 00:03:02,747 Speaker 4: world to I've really enjoyed the last few weeks sort 63 00:03:02,747 --> 00:03:05,347 Speaker 4: of being out of travel with the team, you know, 64 00:03:05,427 --> 00:03:07,467 Speaker 4: a few dinners and and things like that. Obviously you've 65 00:03:07,467 --> 00:03:09,387 Speaker 4: got plenty of mates that you hang out on tour with. 66 00:03:09,507 --> 00:03:14,187 Speaker 4: But yeah, it definitely throws it like a different perspective 67 00:03:14,227 --> 00:03:16,227 Speaker 4: on things. I think, you know, it was in read 68 00:03:16,267 --> 00:03:18,307 Speaker 4: on the last hole, I knew if I hold the put, 69 00:03:18,387 --> 00:03:21,707 Speaker 4: it would put our team into tide second, and that's 70 00:03:21,707 --> 00:03:24,947 Speaker 4: so Yeah, I think it's just it's one of those 71 00:03:25,027 --> 00:03:27,267 Speaker 4: nice things that you know, you have a few more 72 00:03:27,267 --> 00:03:30,507 Speaker 4: mates around and enjoy sort of those practice rounds and 73 00:03:30,587 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 4: some good, good rivalry between teammates and that's it's always 74 00:03:34,787 --> 00:03:35,547 Speaker 4: always really good. 75 00:03:35,787 --> 00:03:37,947 Speaker 2: Bubba Watson's your team captain, of course, what's it like 76 00:03:37,987 --> 00:03:38,587 Speaker 2: playing with them? 77 00:03:39,667 --> 00:03:40,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, that was awesome. 78 00:03:40,667 --> 00:03:43,227 Speaker 4: I've I've really got to enjoyed to you know, get 79 00:03:43,267 --> 00:03:46,587 Speaker 4: to know Bubba over the last few weeks. At it 80 00:03:46,587 --> 00:03:50,307 Speaker 4: started January when I got name for the team. I 81 00:03:50,387 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 4: flew to America and spent some time with the team 82 00:03:53,987 --> 00:03:55,427 Speaker 4: and you know, we played a bit of golf and 83 00:03:55,827 --> 00:03:59,227 Speaker 4: things like that. So yeah, it's been it's been great 84 00:03:59,227 --> 00:04:02,347 Speaker 4: getting to know Bubba and you know, to be playing 85 00:04:02,387 --> 00:04:05,987 Speaker 4: someone you know, playing alongside someone you know is what 86 00:04:06,027 --> 00:04:09,587 Speaker 4: he's done in golf and obviously the majors and that 87 00:04:09,587 --> 00:04:11,827 Speaker 4: it's it's great to be learning off someone like him. 88 00:04:12,107 --> 00:04:14,307 Speaker 2: And fellow key we Danny Lee is on the Lift 89 00:04:14,307 --> 00:04:16,427 Speaker 2: Tour as well. He's coming to the New Zealand Open too. 90 00:04:16,867 --> 00:04:18,627 Speaker 2: Have you seen much of him in the last few weeks. 91 00:04:19,947 --> 00:04:22,427 Speaker 4: Yeah, I saw obviously Danny a lot last year and 92 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:25,347 Speaker 4: then yeah, over the last couple of weeks. You know, 93 00:04:25,387 --> 00:04:28,187 Speaker 4: there's only fifty four players out there, so yeah, you 94 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:28,947 Speaker 4: get to see. 95 00:04:28,747 --> 00:04:32,427 Speaker 3: You run a fair bit. So yeah, I'll see Danny 96 00:04:32,427 --> 00:04:33,027 Speaker 3: a lot this year. 97 00:04:33,667 --> 00:04:35,987 Speaker 2: All right, let's talk about the New Zealand Open. First 98 00:04:36,027 --> 00:04:37,627 Speaker 2: of all, the strength of the field. How do you 99 00:04:37,707 --> 00:04:39,347 Speaker 2: assive how strong this field is? 100 00:04:40,307 --> 00:04:42,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's a really good field. You know, 101 00:04:42,467 --> 00:04:45,387 Speaker 3: obviously Danny was a great uh he got called in. 102 00:04:45,347 --> 00:04:49,227 Speaker 4: Pretty late, and then you know, Lucas Herbert. You know, 103 00:04:49,267 --> 00:04:50,947 Speaker 4: it's it's a really it's great to see a lot 104 00:04:50,987 --> 00:04:53,227 Speaker 4: of the Asian Tour players coming down sen it's you know, 105 00:04:54,147 --> 00:04:57,147 Speaker 4: it's co sanctioned with the Aussie Tour and the Asian Tour, 106 00:04:58,267 --> 00:05:00,307 Speaker 4: so yeah, you've got a really strong field coming down 107 00:05:00,307 --> 00:05:04,347 Speaker 4: from Asia. But yeah, it's obviously great. I love playing. 108 00:05:04,787 --> 00:05:06,027 Speaker 4: You know, when you can sleep in your own bed 109 00:05:06,107 --> 00:05:09,507 Speaker 4: and play golf, tournament's pretty amazing. So yeah, I'm not 110 00:05:09,627 --> 00:05:11,707 Speaker 4: really looking forward to the week. You know, the tournament 111 00:05:11,867 --> 00:05:15,547 Speaker 4: just keeps getting stronger and stronger. The guys, you know, 112 00:05:15,627 --> 00:05:17,787 Speaker 4: Michael Gladding and John Hard are doing such a great 113 00:05:17,867 --> 00:05:20,347 Speaker 4: job and you know they've been growing the event and 114 00:05:20,387 --> 00:05:23,187 Speaker 4: then you know, to have the the Major, the Open 115 00:05:23,267 --> 00:05:27,107 Speaker 4: Championship spot this year, it's sort of just a testament 116 00:05:27,227 --> 00:05:28,667 Speaker 4: what they've what't have've grown? 117 00:05:29,627 --> 00:05:32,107 Speaker 2: You know, the courses are the two courses at Milbrook 118 00:05:32,147 --> 00:05:34,107 Speaker 2: better than most people. So what does it take to 119 00:05:34,387 --> 00:05:36,627 Speaker 2: play well there and to win there? 120 00:05:36,947 --> 00:05:39,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's definitely a week you know, you've got to 121 00:05:39,867 --> 00:05:42,867 Speaker 4: get the pudder, the pudder going. It's sort of it's 122 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:45,227 Speaker 4: definitely dried up here in the last couple of weeks 123 00:05:45,267 --> 00:05:49,067 Speaker 4: since I since I've in a way, you know, the 124 00:05:49,147 --> 00:05:51,627 Speaker 4: rough round Milburt was looking quite good before I went away, 125 00:05:51,667 --> 00:05:53,147 Speaker 4: and they've just sort of had two weeks of pretty 126 00:05:53,187 --> 00:05:56,067 Speaker 4: dry weather, so the rough's sort of not as challenging anymore. 127 00:05:57,227 --> 00:06:00,227 Speaker 4: So Yeah, it's they get the course so pure out there, 128 00:06:00,267 --> 00:06:02,627 Speaker 4: and it really comes down to, you know, who can 129 00:06:02,667 --> 00:06:03,747 Speaker 4: get the pudder going the hottest. 130 00:06:03,787 --> 00:06:06,107 Speaker 2: Really You've been running up in the New Zealand Open 131 00:06:06,147 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 2: twenty twenty seventeen and a playoff of course again runner 132 00:06:09,547 --> 00:06:12,267 Speaker 2: up in twenty twenty three. How keen aid to win 133 00:06:12,307 --> 00:06:13,587 Speaker 2: your are your home Open? 134 00:06:14,547 --> 00:06:17,467 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely it's one I really want to tick off. 135 00:06:18,427 --> 00:06:21,787 Speaker 4: I really enjoy you know, Queen Sounds been an amazing 136 00:06:21,827 --> 00:06:23,827 Speaker 4: place to me and you know, I have a lot 137 00:06:23,827 --> 00:06:26,627 Speaker 4: of family and friends here and I'm a member at Millbrook, 138 00:06:26,667 --> 00:06:28,307 Speaker 4: so it's you know, you're playing in front of sort 139 00:06:28,347 --> 00:06:31,387 Speaker 4: of home crowd and all the members and that, you know, 140 00:06:31,387 --> 00:06:34,787 Speaker 4: and I get some amazing support during the week from everyone, 141 00:06:34,947 --> 00:06:37,987 Speaker 4: so it would be it would be incredible to be 142 00:06:37,987 --> 00:06:39,347 Speaker 4: able to lift the trophy at the end of the 143 00:06:39,347 --> 00:06:41,787 Speaker 4: week and sort of do it for everyone who's sort 144 00:06:41,827 --> 00:06:43,187 Speaker 4: of supported me, and. 145 00:06:43,227 --> 00:06:45,267 Speaker 2: Just to zoom out again just to finish. You played 146 00:06:45,347 --> 00:06:47,947 Speaker 2: the Open Championship in twenty twenty two. I see there 147 00:06:47,987 --> 00:06:51,827 Speaker 2: are now more exemptions for Live players to play majors. 148 00:06:52,227 --> 00:06:55,347 Speaker 2: Is playing more majors on your wish list? Yeah? 149 00:06:55,387 --> 00:06:56,947 Speaker 3: I think, you know, it's amazing. 150 00:06:58,107 --> 00:07:01,147 Speaker 4: You know, I really enjoyed I miss the cutout on 151 00:07:01,187 --> 00:07:05,387 Speaker 4: the number at St. Andrews, and and you know, definitely 152 00:07:05,547 --> 00:07:10,667 Speaker 4: would like to get another chance at the Open, So yeah, 153 00:07:10,667 --> 00:07:12,467 Speaker 4: it was it was great news. Obviously Live has been 154 00:07:12,507 --> 00:07:15,867 Speaker 4: working hard to get these exemptions and and and they've 155 00:07:15,867 --> 00:07:20,027 Speaker 4: got them now. I'm also going to play Asian Twoman 156 00:07:20,067 --> 00:07:24,067 Speaker 4: in Macau, so yeah, there looks like there's a few 157 00:07:24,187 --> 00:07:27,547 Speaker 4: few few chances for the Open, and yeah, I've got 158 00:07:27,627 --> 00:07:30,427 Speaker 4: US Open qualifying during the year as well, so it 159 00:07:30,467 --> 00:07:32,427 Speaker 4: would be great if I could get into a couple 160 00:07:32,467 --> 00:07:35,227 Speaker 4: more majors this year would be would Yeah, it would 161 00:07:35,267 --> 00:07:37,667 Speaker 4: really make the schedule exciting for the year. 162 00:07:37,907 --> 00:07:40,347 Speaker 2: So that just to clarify that. Then being on the 163 00:07:40,387 --> 00:07:43,107 Speaker 2: Live Tour full time, that doesn't preclude you from playing 164 00:07:43,107 --> 00:07:45,547 Speaker 2: other events like the ones you've you've just mentioned. You can. 165 00:07:45,627 --> 00:07:47,347 Speaker 2: You can fit everything in that you want. 166 00:07:47,147 --> 00:07:48,987 Speaker 3: To, Yeah, definitely. 167 00:07:48,987 --> 00:07:52,227 Speaker 4: So the Asian Tour is backed by by Live, so 168 00:07:53,067 --> 00:07:56,747 Speaker 4: that's yeah that we have a we have the International 169 00:07:56,787 --> 00:08:00,387 Speaker 4: Series which is part of the Asian Tour, so Live 170 00:08:00,427 --> 00:08:02,827 Speaker 4: players have to play so many events on on that 171 00:08:02,947 --> 00:08:05,787 Speaker 4: tour as well, So I have to have to play 172 00:08:05,827 --> 00:08:10,267 Speaker 4: the minimum of three International Series this year. So it's 173 00:08:10,267 --> 00:08:14,107 Speaker 4: been it's been amazing for the Asian Tour, the involvement 174 00:08:14,147 --> 00:08:16,467 Speaker 4: with Limit and how much stronger the Asian Tour has 175 00:08:16,467 --> 00:08:19,187 Speaker 4: got over the last sort of four years. And that's 176 00:08:19,187 --> 00:08:22,027 Speaker 4: how I got to be in the position to get 177 00:08:22,027 --> 00:08:24,427 Speaker 4: on Live was through my play and the Asian Tour. 178 00:08:24,547 --> 00:08:28,707 Speaker 4: So yeah, it's it's been a great you know, the 179 00:08:28,747 --> 00:08:30,907 Speaker 4: Asian two just seems to be getting stronger and stronger. 180 00:08:30,907 --> 00:08:34,067 Speaker 4: And where the Live schedule finishes up in I think 181 00:08:34,147 --> 00:08:36,427 Speaker 4: twenty fourth August, so I'll have a little break after 182 00:08:36,467 --> 00:08:39,107 Speaker 4: that and then I'll play sort of the back half 183 00:08:39,147 --> 00:08:40,667 Speaker 4: of the year on the Asian Tour as well. 184 00:08:41,027 --> 00:08:43,747 Speaker 2: Good Man. Well, before all of that, the New Zealand 185 00:08:43,787 --> 00:08:45,747 Speaker 2: Open next weekend, all the best. I was just looking 186 00:08:45,787 --> 00:08:46,867 Speaker 2: at the last key word to win it, and of 187 00:08:46,947 --> 00:08:49,427 Speaker 2: course it was Michael Henry in that playoffs against you 188 00:08:49,507 --> 00:08:50,947 Speaker 2: in twenty seventeen, wasn't it. 189 00:08:51,627 --> 00:08:54,827 Speaker 3: Yep, sure it was. So hopefully we can get another 190 00:08:54,907 --> 00:08:55,627 Speaker 3: key we on there. 191 00:08:56,027 --> 00:08:57,947 Speaker 2: It's hope. So great to chat Ben. All the best 192 00:08:57,987 --> 00:08:59,427 Speaker 2: at the New Zealand Open next weekend. 193 00:08:59,587 --> 00:09:01,227 Speaker 3: Awesome, thank you very much, Thank you, Ben. 194 00:09:01,267 --> 00:09:03,387 Speaker 2: Ben Campbell there, one of twenty six key we was 195 00:09:03,387 --> 00:09:06,227 Speaker 2: confirmed for the New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook next week. 196 00:09:06,507 --> 00:09:08,427 Speaker 2: We'll have plenty of coverage for you on Weekend Sport 197 00:09:08,827 --> 00:09:09,667 Speaker 2: next weekend. 198 00:09:10,347 --> 00:09:13,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 199 00:09:13,627 --> 00:09:16,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday or follow 200 00:09:16,947 --> 00:09:18,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.