US TourPaul McGinley and Graham McDowell provide the Irish interest in this week's US Tour event, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-am.

After a ninth-place finish in Qatar a fortnight ago, McGinley decided not to stay on in the Middle East for the Dubai Desert Classic, instead preferring to head to California for the two tournaments prior to the Accenture World Match Play.

The Dubliner is currently sixth in the Ryder Cup standings and desperately keen to climb back up the table to avoid any late sweating in the race for places. Past experience tells him how draining that can be.

McDowell, 65th in the world rankings, is fighting to make his way into the top 50 by the end of the Players Championship to earn an invite to the US Masters.

Also playing are Luke Donald, Brian Davis and Sandy Lyle.

Meanwhile, US Open champion Michael Campbell wants the USPGA Tour to lift a playing restriction imposed on him after he failed to complete the mandatory 15 events in 2003.

The Tour handed the New Zealander a three-year restriction at the start of 2004 after he competed in just 10 events in 2003. Campbell says the limit of 10 events for 2006 will affect the defence of his US Open crown.

"Sometimes I feel my wings have been clipped but I am my own boss and I believe that I should be able to do what I want.

"Obviously what I did three years ago, in not completing 15 events on the US Tour, has really affected my 2006 schedule now I am US Open champion.

"What happens if Jack Nicklaus invites me to play his Memorial tournament but I can't because of my status?" Campbell told reporters ahead of this week's Johnnie Walker Classic, in Perth, Australia. "I also want to go to Westchester and play the Barclays Classic the week before the US Open as it is only 30 minutes from the US Open at Winged Foot, but I can't."

In Campbell's 10 events at the start of 2003, he missed the halfway cut in nine and was disqualified from the Players Championship.

Campbell has met PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem to discuss the issue but has yet to hear a response.

"I met with the Tour about two months ago and I still shake my head. I could not believe I was sitting in front of these guys from the Tour and the things they were saying to me, and it was not right," said Campbell.

"Tim said we would talk in a month's time but I haven't heard from him since."