Golf: James Byrne earns Sir Bob’s respect Down Under

JAMES Byrne warmed up for his appearance in the BMW New Zealand Open, which starts today in Christchurch, in the company of former Open champion Sir Bob Charles.

They were paired together in the pro-am at Clearwater and earned mutual respect despite being at opposing ends of the age ladder.

“[Charles is] 74 years old and still breaking par – that impressive,” tweeted Byrne afterwards, while Charles reported to Jim Hardie, an Aberdonian who is a regular visitor to New Zealand, that he’d been “impressed” with the young Scot.

During his trip Down Under, Byrne has also secured an invitation to take part in the JB Were Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Club on 15-18 December.

He’s then heading home to join his Walker Cup team-mates at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event in Manchester on 22 December.

Meanwhile Michael Campbell, at home to compete in the New Zealand Open, has admitted he considered quitting a year ago.

The 42-year-old, who has slumped to 731 since he won the 2005 US Open. said “I can’t imagine not playing golf. I considered giving up and asked myself if I still wanted to win?

“I slept on it and the answer was yes I do.”