Campbell will be teaming up with No 3-ranked UFC light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg and Olympic gold medallist rower Eric Murray for the event.
Campbell last competed on home soil at the 2020 New Zealand Open. Now, the Spain-based golfer is taking the opportunity to return, which will also give him a window to visit family and friends over the Christmas period.
Campbell is one of five professional golfers confirmed for the event so far, alongside Amelia Garvey, Nick Voke, Ben Campbell, Kazuma Kobori and competition namesake Ryan Fox.
Unlike past years, Fox will also be playing in a team in a bid to ramp up the competition side of the event. His playing partner is yet to be announced.
It’s fitting, in a sense, that Campbell has signed on to play in the event.
Speaking to the Herald in 2024 ahead of playing the US Open at Pinehurst No 2 himself, Fox recalled watching Campbell’s triumph as he was just beginning on his own road in the sport.
“I think I took a couple of uni classes off that morning to watch it. I was probably just starting my journey as a golfer at that point, just starting to play some tournament golf and I absolutely loved it,” he said.
“I’ve got great memories of watching Campbell win and got very lucky a couple of years later at the New Zealand Open to sit down with him and talk through it properly.”
Mānuka Phuel Chasing the Fox
The event takes place at the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club on December 12 at 5pm. Tickets are on sale now.
Confirmed teams
Team Mānuka Doctor Legends: Michael Campbell, Carlos Ulberg, Eric Murray (chosen charity – Autism New Zealand)
Team She Loves Golf: Amelia Garvey, Tania Tare and Viv Lu (Halberg Foundation).
Team Campbell: Ben Campbell and Mac Boucher (Ronald McDonald House).
Team Media: Dai Henwood, Jeremy Wells and Bryce Casey (Bowel Cancer New Zealand).
Team NZ Warriors: Shaun Johnson, Wayde Egan and Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors Community Foundation).
Team Voke: Nick Voke and Taco Golf (Cancer Society).
Team Kobori: Kazuma Kobori and Luke Kwon (Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand).
Team Classic All Blacks: Christian Cullen, Kieran Read, Ngani Laumape (New Zealand Rugby Foundation).
Team All Whites: Shane Smeltz, Michael Boxall and Tim Brown (Ronald McDonald House).
Fox and Friend: Ryan Fox and TBC.
TVNZ1 and TVNZ+ will be broadcasting the event from 7pm-9pm.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
