Golf: Cambo's B game earns $323,170

Michael Campbell made 34 putts yesterday. Picture / Reuters

ST ANDREWS - Michael Campbell's thoughts turned to home after grabbing a share of fifth place in the British Open yesterday.

Campbell is planning to return to New Zealand for a holiday in about two weeks, giving the country a chance to celebrate his recent US Open win with him. It is understood several parades are being planned.

Yesterday, Campbell carded a final-round 72 to end in a six-way tie for fifth spot on seven under - seven shots behind winner Tiger Woods.

Had he not been pipped at the US Open at Pinehurst last month, world No 1 Woods would have been the holder of three majors this season.

Campbell started his final round on the Old Course on seven under and five shots behind Woods.

He soon fell back to six under when he bogeyed the second hole, but a sixth-hole birdie moved him back to seven under, before six successive pars and then a birdie on the 12th.

A bogey on the 14th and pars on the last four holes put him fifth-equal.

The New Zealander was given a huge ovation as he walked up the last hole. Hundreds of those watching were also present when he finished third a decade ago.

Campbell was quietly confident of a sub-par closing day, but his putter went cold and he made 34 putts.

"I came here with my B game. I haven't played that well," he said. "I missed a few vital putts in the last few days, but I'll walk away with my head held high after what I've done.

"I wanted to win here, but it just wasn't to be.

"It was Tiger's week and finishing in the top five after winning a major championship is a good effort for me," Campbell said.

"It's just that I got off to a poor start today and then I got greedy with my second shot on the second hole and made a quick bogey. Overall, it just didn't happen for me."

Campbell pocketed 177,712 ($323,170) and the result kept him on top of the European Tour Order of Merit.

David Smail, the only other New Zealander in the Open, dropped three strokes over his inward half to end with a 77 for a three-over tally.

Smail was officially credited with a share of 67th place and a $24,733 pay-day.

- NZPA