Ahead of the Asian Tour, The International Series, England at Foxhills Country Club & Resort, two-time winner Ben Campbell gives an insight into the tournament being played over the Longcross Course, 8-11th Aug.
You won last time out at International Series Morocco, and also won in the 2023 season on the series at the Hong Kong Open. How confident are you going into next week’s International Series England?
“I am feeling really good. It has been a big trip away on the road (Asian Tour events and traveling as an alternate with the LIV Golf League) but it has worked out perfectly – I’ve got the week off here and a good friend of mine has come from New Zealand, so catching up, visiting Birmingham and Southport, finding a few times this week and doing a bit of training in the gym and things like that.
“So yes, the game is feeling really good, and I think the week could be really good. It has been good to reset and get ready and I’ll come down to London on Sunday. I think overall, Foxhills will really suit my game so I am looking forward to getting out there on Monday.”
The result in Morocco lifted you second in the Rankings, just one behind John Rankin. With the Rankings winner earning that spot on the LIV Golf League next season, how far do you think ahead? Or do you take each tournament as it comes?
“I am definitely very aware of that. Over the schedule this year, I have based it all around trying to prepare as well as I can to make sure my game is ready for the events on The International Series.
We are very aware of what is at stake, and I think a lot of my planning and preparation this year has gone into being ready for those events on The International Series as there is a lot to play for.”
Looking at the pathway from The International Series onto LIV Golf, it is a great opportunity for players on the Asian Tour. Do you wish there were more spots than just the one for the Rankings champion?
“At the moment with the LIV Golf Promotions event at the end of the year, it sounds like there’s still another three spots there. I think you know that relationship with LIV and the Asian Tour can keep getting better and better.
Look at Andy Ogletree (2023 rankings champion) last week (at LIV Golf UK by JCB) and how well he did out there, and how well John (Catlin, LIV Golf alternate) is doing also, they are proving that the Asian Tour players who took the pathway are definitely good enough to compete out there.
“If the relationship keeps getting better, there might be more but at the moment there is something to play for, and something to target.”
You have been an alternate on the LIV Golf this year. Just wanted to know what that has been like for you.
“I have really enjoyed it. I have been treated great out there. The guys have been awesome. I have definitely learned some things out there and got probably a lot more confidence in my game. Also just seeing the processes the guys go through, that has helped me.
It has shown me that a lot of the things that I am doing in my process, I’m doing right. And that has given me a lot more confidence.
“I think you have to go to the LIV events before you judge them. One thing I really liked yet the year is the amount of kids coming out to the events.
You know, it seems to me like parents in the past have been scared of taking a four year old to the golf, but with the music going, the kids can watch the golf and the parents can relax without worrying too much about what they are going to do on the (player’s) backswing.
“I think that’s really cool thing to see, at JCB last week everyone was buzzing about it and even here (at Southport) people were saying how much they loved it.”
To piggyback off the last question, with you being an alternate on the LIV Golf League, have you spoken to the LIV guys about their mindset for team golf?
“Not really, no, I have not, I think sort of looking at the outside in, I think it’s been interesting to see all four scores counting on the final day.
Now on the second day, you definitely see guys out grinding on the range and on the putting green trying to find something. If they have had a couple of bad days it looks to me like they don’t want to let the team down, so they are out there grinding, trying to find something, trying to find that something to work for the last day.”
Looking at next week’s field, have you played with Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell much, and had any kind of interaction with them in your career?
“Probably not so much those two. But a lot of the other guys on the tour, the Aussie guys (Ripper GC), I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with.
That has been one of the great things, spending time on the range and at practice in all these tournaments, just sort of asking the guys questions, and learning a lot from them.”
It could be said that you are in the best form of your career right now. Is that because of the LIV incentive, or have you found something a little different in your game?
“My body’s feeling good. I found a golf swing that doesn’t really load up my body. I think there’s obviously a lot to play for, but it has been more about spending the last couple years working with a coach, and with a physio back home, and between the two of them we have done a lot of work around what my body can and cannot do. And I have had to work on my golf swing to adapt to that.
“I have had a 10-week stretch and the body is feeling good. Three or four years ago there is no way that would have happened. Really, I have found a swing that works, I know my tendencies and things like that, so it makes the game a lot easier.”
You said Foxhills suits your game – have you played the course before?
“I haven’t, no. So now my first look will be on Monday. But you know, a strength of my game is driving and my iron play so once I play it, I will have a better idea. With a tight golf course, normally that is when I play some of my better golf.”
You’re an Asian Tour regular. LIV Golf money has brought the prize funds up but it has also strengthened the field. How much has that helped to improve your game?
“It’s great, the purses are getting stronger, and hopefully the Asian Tour can keep building on that. One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is how great it has been for the Asian Tour players to play against players from the LIV Golf League, like next week for example with Poulter and McDowell and the other guys.
“For the younger guys, it is so important to see how they play. The competition is always a good thing, but the development of the players has been one of the positives is the partnership between LIV and the Asian Tour.
“Sometimes it is not so much about knowing how good they are. Sometimes it is more about finding out and saying to yourself my game is as good as them, or not so far away. And that for the Asian Tour boys, myself included, is good for the confidence.
“Sometimes you might think you are a million miles away when you are not, so it is good to have that exposure and competition.”
One final question. What do you think The International Series has done for the Asian Tour?
“I think it has been amazing. You look at how many players from different countries we have playing around the world. Traveling, playing golf, experiencing different courses, and different cultures, it all just helps to make your game that bit more rounded.
“Thinking especially about some of the courses in Europe, they are very different to the Asian style of golf and that has been really good. If we can keep building it, and getting more people aware of it, amazing. I think it is great that we are going to these different places, and playing some amazing golf courses.”
International Series England takes place at Foxhills Club & Resort from 8-11 August. For tickets and information, please visit www.internationalseries.com