Perseverance in Portugal - Michael Campbell

Michael Campbell has turned the corner, sparking a glimmer of hope in what previously looked like the back-ends of a diminishing golf career. The 43 year old has just notched up his best finish on the European Tour, not to mention his best finish worldwide, since 2008, with a tied for third finish at the Portugal Masters. I cannot remember the last time he shot four sub-par rounds in a golf tournament, like he did this week.

Campbell acknowledges the crowd during his final round

From September 2011 to March 2012, "Cambo" entered 12 events on the European Tour. He missed the cut in every single one. His performance over the duration of those two years just adds to the unfortunate picture. 27 tournaments in 2011 - 19 missed cuts and only 1 top 20. 18 tournaments so far in 2012 -12 missed cuts, and only 2 top 10s and 1 top 20. Michael is currently ranked outside the world's top 600 golfers.

It would of come as no surprise if Cambo decided to wave the white flag, surrender, and give up. I cannot imagine the emotional turmoil he must of gone through. The constant self-doubt that must have come across his mind. Wondering if he would ever rediscover the form that made him the talk of the golfing world in 2005, where he withstood a Sunday challenge from Tiger Woods to win the US Open and rise to a career high 14th in the world.

Better days: Cambo wins the 2005 US Open

However, with his recent string of results, could we be witnessing a Cambo comeback? He has recorded three top 15 finishes in his last 6 events. Hardly anything to worry the world's top golfers, but still, we need to remember that this is something he has not done for a very long time.



Over the last three months, Campbell has been working with swing coach Jonathan Yarwood, who incidently was his former swing coach. They decided to split ties a few years ago, but the recent success of this reunion is a cause for optimism. Michael has recently moved to Spain, from his former home in Switzerland, and now sits 86th on the Race to Dubai. The top 60 on that list will make their way to the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai for the season ending DP World Tour Championship. Cambo has a handful of tournaments left before the tournament begins on November the 22nd. A pair of top 10s will likely catapult him over the top 60 barrier.

In a post-tournament interview after the Portugal Masters on Radio Sport, Cambo stated that he is enjoying his golf again, and that his goal in the final round was to essentially have fun, or "smile" to use his word. From the doldrums of the last 4 years, this newly relaxed and confident Michael Campbell is great to see. He has drawn his inspiration from fellow over-40 golfers such as 2012 British Open winner Ernie Els, and Fiji's Vijay Singh, who earned $1.5 million (US dollars) this season on the PGA Tour.

Michael probably has 4-5 years left to make some noise again on the professional golfing circuit. Are on the verge of something special? Who knows. He was at 150-1 odds to win the US Open in 2005, was completely out of form throughout the first half of that year, and needed a two-metre putt just to qualify. How did that turn out?