US golfers 'should travel more'

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New Zealand's Michael Campbell has criticised stay-at-home American pros who he claims ensure most of the big events remain in the USA.

Three of this year's four lucrative World Golf Championship events are being held in the USA, and Campbell says that is bad news for the game.

He said: "We should somehow get over to Asia. It is called a world event.

"Obviously Americans don't like to travel. That's one of the reasons they have the WGC tournaments here."

Campbell was speaking on the eve of the WGC-American Express event, to be held at Harding Park, California.

And he exonerated one top American, adding: "There are Americans who travel, like Tiger Woods, who is playing in Shanghai next month which is great for the game.

"I do wish more Americans would do the same thing. I am a global player. I always enjoy playing different parts of the world."

The World Cup is the only WGC event staged outside the United States this year.

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It takes place at Vilamoura in Portugal in November.

Campbell conceded: "I suppose TV pays most of the bills and we have got to please those guys.

"But once again, this is the game of golf, it should be spread around the world and I am a firm believer in that."

Campbell's victories in the US Open at Pinehurst - his first major title - and the World Match Play at Wentworth mean he tops the European Tour Order of Merit with just four events remaining.

But the New Zealander now has seven-time winner Colin Montgomerie breathing down his neck after the Scot's triumph in the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.