Michael Campbell will draw on his fondest memories when he tees off on Thursday in the first round of the Maybank Malaysian Open.
The New Zealander says the Palm Course at Saujana Golf and Country Club reminds him of Pinehurst No. 2 where he famously held off Tiger Woods to capture the 2005 US Open Championship.
Speaking on the eve of the US$1,290,000 tournament, Campbell said: “It’s almost like a Major type feel with the rough as severe as it is. The golf course is very challenging. The tropical grass here is very similar to Pinehurst - very thick up top and very thin at the bottom, so the ball sinks right down.
“If you miss the fairways you are hitting second shots sideways, just like the US Open at Pinehurst, so it’s nice to come to a golf course where I can feed off the positives from my win two years ago.”
Another man full of positive thoughts is Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, who will be aiming for a third Maybank Malaysian Open at a place he calls his "second home".
The two-time Asian Tour Number One is the undisputed king of golf in Malaysia following commanding victories in 2004 and 2005 at Saujana’s Palm course. He was denied a third consecutive victory when pushed into second place by Korea's Charlie Wi at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club last year.
"When I come here, I'm happy,” declared Thongchai, who goes head-to-head with Europe’s Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Lee Westwood of England, who tasted success at Saujana in 1997, Dane Thomas Björn, Jeev Milkha Singh of India, last year's Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit champion, in addition to the considerable presence of Campbell.
“I've played this course many times. Even in my holidays I will come here and practice. I like the course. It's not very long but it's very tricky. You need to know the course well. The greens are tough but if you know the greens, you know where to putt and make easier putts."
Clarke agreed: "It's a bit more like a US Open than the Malaysian Open. My game is getting a little bit better (after finishing tied 20th in Dubai last week) but this is going to be a very tough week."
Westwood is searching for his first European Tour win since 2003 to add to his career haul of 15 and a return to Saujana will boost his confidence. He won the Malaysian Open in 1997 – before the event was co-sanctioned by The European and Asian tours - and was runner-up in the following year.
"I remembered playing very well and I liked it the first time I saw it. Felt comfortable on it and obviously coming out with a win," said Westwood, who represented the club for several years following his triumph. "Obviously I've got very fond memories. It's a place where I wanted to come back to and I'm glad to be here.”
