Michael Campbell was born on 23rd February, 1963 in Taranati, New Zealand. He started playing golf at the age of 7 with his father. In 1993 he turned pro and started playing on the European Tour two years later. He led the Open going into the final round only to miss out by one shot.

Soon after he suffered a wrist injury and did not recover properly until 1998. In 2000 he won three times on tour. His best season came in 2005. Despite missing the first 5 cuts he found his form to lift the US Open at Pinehurst. He then won a £1 million at the HSBC World Matchplay at Wentworth.