Golf: Campbell chases first victory in 13 months

10.30am - BY BERNIE McGUIRE

PORTMARNOCK, Ireland - Michael Campbell, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and England's David Lynn each have good cause to claim victory in the Irish Open at Portmarnock.

The three players completed the third round tied for the lead at 10 under par and one stroke clear of Sweden's Robert Karlsson and England's Greg Owen, who are locked on nine under par.

Campbell moved from a second round share of second behind Lynn and into the lead with birdies on his opening two holes before dropping three strokes over the next 10 holes.

But the Kauri Cliffs attached player then birdied two of his closing six holes to finish tied with Lynn.

Bjorn benefited from a nine hour sleep on Friday night after carding a second 74, a day following his blistering new Portmarnock course record of an eight under par 64.

The Dane, who last week horribly let slip the opportunity to win the British Open forged back to the front with a third round 68 despite a roller coaster ending when Bjorn birdied three holes and bogeyed just as many.

Campbell is chasing a first victory in 13 months since winning the European Open, just south of Dublin.

He and his parents, Tom and Maria, were up early to watch TV coverage of the All Blacks history making demolition of Australia before arriving at the course for his tee off.

Campbell is now just 18 holes away from clinching a sixth European Tour victory, less than a month after ending a disastrous six months competing in the US and making the gutsy decision to return full time to the European Tour.

"It would be a huge weight off my shoulders if I was to win this event," he said.

"It would be reassurance I can still be a winner on the European Tour. It's been a long time since I have won and I hope to change that tomorrow.

"I never doubted for a moment that I would come back. I've been through the doubt before and didn't like it. I knew I had the talent and the determination and along with the support I've had over the past 12 months, it would be nice to win tomorrow."

Campbell said also he is particularly keen to win in front of his visiting parents. "With my mum and dad here in Ireland, it would be very special for them to see me win," he said.

"They've seen me win once before and that was the 2000 New Zealand Open, so winning tomorrow would be even more special."

Whilst Bjorn has put himself in position for an eighth European Tour success, last week's near British Open hero, said winning the Irish Open will not help to ease memories of what he endured at Royal St. George's.

"Winning the Irish Open is not going to make up for last week," said Bjorn.

"You could go out and win a lot of golf tournaments but it is not going to make up for major championships and it will never do.

"Nothing will make up for last week until I win a major championship and it's as simple as that.

"The only thing winning here in Ireland will mean is that I am doing the right things and I know I can go out on this tour and prove to myself that I am still a force to be reckoned with after last week and that's what I need.

"All that the 64 on Thursday and today's 68 proves to me is that I am doing all the right thing even though this is not the easiest of golf courses."

The 29-year-old Lynn again finds himself in position for a first ever Tour victory and the opportunity to become the Tour's 14th first time winner this season.

Campbell carded a 69 to finish 5 under par total.

- NZPA