Golf: Campbell banks first golf cheque of year

Michael Campbell. Photo / Getty Images

VERSAILLES - Michael Campbell collected his first golfing pay cheque in nine months - albeit around €5000 ($9000) - in finishing near the tail of the field at the French Open here yesterday.

The New Zealand golfer recorded rounds of 75, 68, 75 and 77 for an 11-over tally on the Le Golf National course, just ahead of India's Shiv Kapur and Swede Peter Hedblom of those who made the cut.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez held his nerve to win the European Tour event after a three-way play-off with compatriot Alejandro Canizares and Italian Francesco Molinari, who all finished on 11-under 277.

Included in Campbell's closing day effort were three birdies, three bogeys but also a pair of triple bogeys at the 16th and 18th holes where he found water on both occasions. It was the first time since last October's Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany that he had emerged with a cheque.

While it was a disappointing finish, Scotland's Stephen Gallacher, who contested the final round in the company of the former US Open champion, believed he had noticed a change for the better in Campbell's game.

"I've known Cambo for so long and while he had a bad finish, today was the best I've seen him hit the ball for a very long time," said the nephew of former European Ryder Cup-winning captain Bernard Gallacher.

"It was disappointing to see him playing so poorly as no one wants to see anyone struggle out here.

"But I feel as though he's turned a bit of a corner this week."

Campbell was waiting around for the end of play to board a 62-seater private jet carrying him and other players to the two-day JP McManus Pro-Am being played on the former Irish Open host venue of Adare Manor near Limerick.

The event is held every five years in the year of the St Andrews British Open. McManus has managed to attract eight of the world's top-10 players headed by world No 1 Tiger Woods.

Danny Lee, after a flying start, also ended well down the field in Versailles in 70th position with scores of 67, 75, 74 and 75.

Lee began his last round birdie, double-bogey, birdie and bogey.

Mark Brown ended the best of the three New Zealanders with scores of 70, 73, 69 and a last day 74 but spoilt a final-hole double bogey that saw him drop to a mid-50s placing.

- NZPA