Campbell looks to defend at International Series Hong Kong and earn LIV Golf League spot
HONG KONG - It has been quite a year for Ben Campbell, a LIV Golf reserve player, since his sensational Hong Kong Open victory last November. And he’s hoping that some work with the putter during a recent short break will help his chances to defend his title and clinch The International Series Rankings title.
Campbell currently sits in fourth position on The International Series Rankings following his victory at International Series Morocco in July and three top-10 finishes this year, including a T4 at the Black Mountain Championship and a T6 at the BNI Indonesian Masters in two of the last three tournaments.
The New Zealander, who was on the verge of quitting the game in the summer of 2023 due to injury, has enjoyed a welcome two-week break since a T6 in Jakarta. That has enabled him to recharge and put in some short game work ahead of his title defense this week, in the first of three tournaments in three weeks that will end the season and settle The International Series title.
Campbell memorably drained a 15-footer on the par-4 18th hole at Hong Kong Golf Club last year to overcome 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith of Ripper GC and Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand.
“It seems like this year has gone so fast. It doesn't feel like it's been a year since I won in Hong Kong and it's great to be back," Campbell said. "I played a few holes out there, and I've always really enjoyed this golf course. I’m just looking forward to getting out there, there is a bit of fine tuning that’s needed and then I’ll be ready to go on Thursday.
“It has been a busy year since the win last year, it's been flat out but it was a great win. I felt like I can win out here and it's just given me a lot of confidence. I think the last year before Hong Kong, I went close a lot of times and didn't quite get over the line and I learned a lot from that and it has been great going on and winning Morocco this year. ... My game felt really close in the last stint. I finished fourth (Black Mountain Championship), and then didn't have the greatest week, and then finished sixth (BNI Indonesian Masters), but never really felt like I had the putter going at all. So I did a bit of work when I was at home and I am looking forward to the last three events.”
Fellow LIV Golf reserve player John Catlin currently leads the way on The International Series Rankings with 900.58 points, with Canadian Richard T. Lee in second at 660.64. Peter Uihlein, who played for RangeGoats GC in 2024, is this with 621.10 points and Campbell is fourth with 597.63 points.
Catlin, 33, is one win away from securing the rankings title and a coveted spot on the LIV Golf League. However, he is still confident in his own chances.
Campbell, like Catlin, has enjoyed a season as a reserve on the LIV Golf League, mixing with some of the best players in the world on a regular basis. He is hopeful that the experience will improve his game.
“I think if John (Catlin) had another win, then he's probably sealed it, so every week is pretty important, there is now a lot to play for," Campbell said. "I really enjoyed my time out on LIV Golf this year; I learned a lot. It's great when you're spending weeks with the best players in the world and I definitely took some confidence away from that. You know there was times when I played when I didn't feel like I played my best but still put a good score on the board. I think it's made me feel a lot more comfortable, especially out here and that’s exciting.”
Following the Link Hong Kong Open, two further elevated Asian Tour-sanctioned events in two weeks round off the season: International Series Qatar from Nov. 27-30 and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers from Dec. 4-7.
For more information on The International Series, please visit: www.internationalseries.com
(Photo courtesy of Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)