Golf: Campbell climbs a spot to improve winnings

Michael Campbell

New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell became $15,000 richer without even swinging a club today.

US Open champion Campbell climbed from seventh to a tie for sixth place in the US PGA Championship in Springfield, New Jersey this morning (NZ time) after the last groups played out their rounds delayed by lightning yesterday.

Campbell's one-under 279 left him just three shots behind American winner Phil Mickelson, rounding out a superb year in the golf Majors.

He followed his US Open triumph, with a fifth placing at last month's British Open at St Andrews.

Without even stepping on Baltusrol Golf Club, his place improved by one spot today.

None of the unfinished golfers who were behind the Wellington golfer yesterday moved ahead ahead of him today, while Retief Goosen remained level on one-under.

However, Fijian world No 2 Vijay Singh, who started one stroke ahead of Campbell dropped two shots today.

Singh's demotion saw Campbell pocket US$201,500 ($288,557), up from the US$190,666 ($273,043) he was sitting on last night.

This week he will play the WGC-NEC Invitational for the world's top-50 players in Akron, Ohio.

Then next month he will play in the International team against the United States in the prestigious President's Cup in Virginia from September 20-25.


Campbell's world ranking also climbed one spot, to 19th, overtaking American Stewart Cink.

- NZPA