Ben Campbell plots an Asian Tour comeback after LIV Golf exit and another hip surgery

Ben Campbell’s LIV Golf chapter has ended, and a second major hip operation has left the New Zealand golfer unable to play for now. Even so, he says he is focused on finding a route back to the sport and reaching new heights in his career. Campbell spent two years with LIV Golf’s RangeGoats team, alongside captain Bubba Watson, Peter Uihlein and Matthew Wolff. His standout result came in Singapore in March 2025, when he finished third and collected NZ$2.6 million. The article estimates he earned about US$6 million during his time on the tour. The league’s future has been thrown into doubt after its Saudi funding was withdrawn. LIV filed for bankruptcy in September, and a proposed reduced version of the competition, which Campbell had hoped to join, also fell through last week. The 35-year-old is therefore set to return to the Asian Tour in 2027, a circuit where he has already enjoyed major success. Campbell won the 2023 Hong Kong Open by making birdie on the final two holes to beat Cameron Smith by one stroke. He followed that with victory at the International Series Morocco in 2024, a run that helped bring him to LIV’s attention. Before turning professional, he was among the world’s leading amateurs and represented New Zealand twice at the Eisenhower Trophy. Looking back on his time at LIV, Campbell described it as life-changing and said the team format suited his sporting background. He also spoke about the pressure of feeling he had let teammates down when he played poorly. Watching established players at close quarters was another valuable part of the experience, he said, naming Watson and Phil Mickelson as examples of golfers whose dedication and approach made an impression. Campbell now faces the challenge of recovering from injury before he can compete again. The article says the Asian Tour is his expected destination when he returns, giving him a familiar platform to rebuild after the end of his LIV deal.