Michael Campbell gives back to New Zealand

Go on, admit it, I know you’ve been wondering where former U.S. Open Champ Michael Campbell has been up to all these years after his victory in 2005.

Well, he hasn’t been doing much, but it seems that he’s still the marquee draw for the The Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this week.

The European PGA Tour is reporting that the Kiwi will become the “official Ambassador to the New Zealand Open” this week. He’s won the event once before. He’s pledged to donate his winnings - NZD 1.5 million - to the New Zealand Junior Golf Foundation.

It’s nice when a golfer doesn’t forget where he comes from. Upon winning the ‘95 Open, Campbell, who is of Maori descent, launched the Michael Campbell Foundation, which helps promote the game on the island.

The New Zealand Open is the country’s richest sporting event, with businessman Michael Hill as the lead sponsor.

The Hills Course is nestled near Queenstown, beneath the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island.

The tournament is co-sanction by the Euro Tour and the PGA Tour of Australia.