Queenstown training base a blessing for Ben Campbell's LIV Golf League call-up

Queenstown-based golfer Ben Campbell is ready to tee-off in the LIV Golf League but speaking to Crux today he didn't forget his Queentown physio for helping produce a recent run of injury-free playing time.

Campbell, a Millbrook Resort and the Hills Golf Club member, was earlier this week named in the line-up for LIV Golf League’s Range Goats, captained by US golfer Bubba Watson.

Speaking in Queenstown, after returning from training with the team in the US, Campbell said It’s been a busy start 2025.

“Obviously I got the news on December 30 and then sort of had to jump on a plane and go to the States. So yeah, just got home a few days ago.

“I’ve just got over the jet lag and now I've had the coach down the last couple days, so it's been good. 

“The first tournament starts in first week of February. So I'm, I'm leaving here on the First to fly up to Riyadh. Got the first event there and then down to Adelaide, a week off, the New Zealand Open, then Hong Kong, Singapore.”

He said he didn’t mind the “shotgun start” to his full-time LIV career, after being a reserve player for the Range Goats last year.

“Playing a few times last year, you sort of. I know exactly what I'm in for.

“I felt like I got on really well with everyone, so I’m looking forward to getting up to Riyadh.”

Ben Campbell speaking to Crux via Zoom

Campbell has hit form in the past two seasons, after his early career was somewhat blighted by injury.

That, so far, has been a positive for him and his New Zealand support team based in Queenstown and Auckland.

“I've played some really consistent golf. You know, I think for me, I had a lot of injuries sort of when I turned pro and, and with the team here in Queenstown and also coach who's based in Auckland, we’ve just changed a few things in the swing. Changed a few things and sort of like the programming and that. We have found a golf swing that my body likes a lot more and I haven't had those injuries.

“I've been able to get more consistent game time under my belt. I think that's probably just been the big thing. It's just body's been feeling a lot better and when your body's feeling a lot better, it's a lot easier to play good golf.”

While the LIV format was controversial when launched in 2013, with high-profile players criticising those joining the lucrative alternative to the existing professional tour, Campbell was full of praise for the concepts and the potential for fellow New Zealand golfers.

He personally, had no qualms about signing up to LIV.

“I feel like it's a good decision for me and, you know, I really focused on the Asian tour and in the end of last year I was trying to decide what to do and I backed myself to play well in Asia and to have this chance and, and then to do it.

“I think the one thing I'd say to people is, like, don't judge it until you've actually been to an event and seen it. I think Adelaide's such a cool event. For us, in New Zealand, Australia, even Asia, we haven't probably had some of the good players as we have had in the past. The Australian summer used to be really strong when they had the Australian Masters and the PGA and the Aussie Open, which, 10 years ago were really, really strong events with huge crowds. Since then, we probably haven't had the quality of players come down this way. 

So I think if you, you know, you look at the LIV Adelaide event, you have got some of the best golfers in the world and everyone's getting really behind it. So, you know, I think it'd be amazing one day if we could even have a LIV Golf event, you know, here in New Zealand just, just to showcase the players.”

Brought in in Wairarapa and Masterton, Campbell has been based in Queenstown for about 12 years.

“I moved back from America and was trying to figure out where to, where to live and obviously I just got Sponsored by the Davies family down here and sort of just came but was by coincidence just sort of came down to spend some time with them and then yeah, ended up staying with them for a while longer.

“I think for me it was just that sort of obviously love Queenstown and the people. I remember going out to Millbrook and meeting the  CEO, and everyone was just so nice and helpful down here. We have some really world class golf courses in the country here, especially here in Queenstown. There's not many places in the world where you have this many really, really good golf courses.

“There's quite a few golf courses going in at the moment with some world class designers and then I think that's, that's a huge thing if you're playing on championship courses, getting tested, you're only going to get better.

“I've been, obviously very lucky. The Davies family here in Queenstown and Ultimate Hikes have sponsored me for the last 11 years now, you know, and I think, you know, for me it was them and the Bramble family and Ben Neva Station down here as well.

“We obviously had the injuries, which wasn’t easy. But you know, having those guys financially backing you and helping you has been huge. And then you know, obviously Remarkable's Physio, them being the ones who got me back on track, that was huge. Pete’s, who owns it, is going to travel with me a little bit this year. So yeah, I think between them, and Queenstown's such a cool place, golf’s got really big here.”

LIV Golf league events are screened live on You Tube and the LIV Golf app.