“You’re exposed to most of the world … you can’t just want to hide away and just not talk to people.“
Campbell said the first 12 months after he won were “just crazy”.
“A good crazy though, good busy, but it really changes your world and he’s out there with the best players in the world now.”
Ryan Fox became the fourth Kiwi golfer to win a major championship after coming out on top at The Open. Photo / Photosport
Campbell recalled playing with Fox about 10 years ago, when he had just turned pro.
“I described him as a rough diamond that needed polishing. He was all over the place,” the former US Open winner said.
“He didn’t have a short game, his putting was terrible, but obviously through the coaches like Marcus Woodhouse, Marcus has been coaching now for the last five or six years.
“He’s had great guidance throughout and with great advice from other people, as well, and to have a father like Grant Fox behind him is amazing too.
Campbell said former All Black Grant Fox had “been one of the best players in the world as well, so he passed on that information and experience to him as well”.
“So he’s surrounded by a lot of good people.”
Campbell felt Fox’s putting had greatly improved.
“I remember I played with him somewhere in the practice round about six, seven years ago and he changed to that long putter, the anchoring on his left arm and I didn’t really like what I saw.
“He didn’t play very well that day, but hey, you know, that’s six years ago, he’s learned from it.”
Campbell tipped Fox to continue his great form.
“He’s got all the armoury and he can do anything with a golf ball.
“The way he played that last hole … was just world class. World class.”