LIV GOLF ADELAIDE

February 13, 2026

Ben Campbell

The Grange

RangeGoats GC

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Let's welcome to the stage Ben Campbell, RangeGoats GC. Ben, 9-under, bogey-free round today. Please just take us through today.

BEN CAMPBELL: Yeah, it was nice. Got off to a good start and then sort of during the middle of the round there managed to rattle off a few birdies together. Swing felt close. I feel like it would be good just a little bit out there this afternoon.

But yeah, feel like I had the speed on the greens really good and holed a couple really nice putts outs there, so just to sort of keep that momentum going. It felt pretty solid.

Q. I know there's still just two more rounds to go, but when you look at the leaderboard right now, you've got -- you're now in second place; you've got Jon Rahm ahead of you, Bryson DeChambeau right behind you, Talor Gooch, Anthony Kim. How do you feel when you look at the leaderboard, how you stack up, and how you feel when you see some of those other names right there going for first place?

BEN CAMPBELL: Yeah, obviously it's great to be right up at the top of the leaderboard. It's always where you want to be.

I'm looking forward to the course this weekend. Played a lot here in Australia. Feel like I've played this style of golf a lot growing up, so it's really nice to be back here playing this style again, and hopefully some of that experience from playing plenty of amateur events and Aussie Opens and things like that over here can rub off on the weekend.

Q. We know how popular the Rippers are out here. How does this crowd treat the Kiwis?

BEN CAMPBELL: Yeah, everyone has been pretty good. I've sort of been lucky, I've got a pretty big crew from New Zealand over here this week. It's great. It's as close to I get to playing at home, and I've got a lot of family over here this week and a lot of friends. Everyone has been amazing.

Q. I'm sure you've had obviously some high-profile groupings in the past, but you'll probably be playing with Bryson and Rahm tomorrow. Is that kind of part of the LIV experience is to be able to compete against those major winners?

BEN CAMPBELL: Yeah, definitely. I think the first couple years out here, it was great. I learnt a lot from hanging out with those guys, having dinner and that with guys like Rahm and that. I've played a couple of times now with them. I don't think I've ever played with Bryson, so looking forward to that tomorrow.

It's a good style of golf course for me. Plenty of the par-5s I can hit it a bit lower and chase it out there and get a bit of run and things like that.

I feel like the course just keeps firming up, and I think that's actually a good thing for me.

Q. It was a good week for Peter last week but not for the team. Obviously you guys have kind of turned it around this week. Was there much said after you got back from Riyadh and just kind of like, hey, let's get it together this week? What was kind of the team vibe?

BEN CAMPBELL: There wasn't really anything said, but you feel bad when your teammate is up there playing really well and you're not sort of stepping up to the plate.

I don't think there sort of needs to be anything said. When you've got a guy playing really well like Pete is and stuff like that, you want to step up. You want to help the team.

It sort of just motivates you more than anything.

Q. In the last season you finished as a free agent and you were due to play on the Promotions event to earn your spot back. What does that mean for you to be back on the RangeGoats this year, and what does that do for your confidence heading into the new season and going on for this event, as well?

BEN CAMPBELL: Yeah, definitely it's always nice knowing you've got a spot to play. It's great to be back with the RangeGoats. I know what I've got to do. You've got to finish in that Lock Zone. Plenty of good performances. You play well, it sorts many things out. That's definitely the goal this year.

Q. You mentioned firming it up is going to help you. We're going to have two pretty hot days the next two days, 33 and 37. That only benefits you, you say, compared to the other guys. Do you reckon you've got maybe a little bit of an advantage with physique, as well?

BEN CAMPBELL: Yeah, I think I've sort of played a lot on the Sand Belt and things like that. I've just grown up playing some very firm golf courses here in Australia, which I don't think a lot of the guys sort of play in the States. I love links golf. I love sort of where you've got to think about how you can position off the tee to sort of get at flags and things like that.

I'm definitely not the longest hitter out here, so having it firming up like some of those par-5s I can sort of chase it up there or just get a bit of extra run out of the drive and things like that. It sort of gives me a lot of wedges in hand, and that's my strength.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Q. Favorite Sand Belt course?

BEN CAMPBELL: That's always a tricky question. Kingston Heath is always amazing, but Royal Melbourne sort of is always tough to beat, as well. I think they're pretty neck-and-neck. Victoria is amazing, as well. That would be my favorite. If I was a member anywhere, Victoria would be my go-to.