KEY POINTS:
ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Michael Campbell ended his European Tour season with a share of 13th in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
Campbell was heading straight back to his Brighton home in south-east England ahead of departing for his Sydney residence on Monday (UK time) after
carding a final round 68 on the Old Course at St Andrews.
The former US Open champion completed the championship five shots behind eventual champion Robert Karlsson of Sweden, who won his second European Tour event in succession with a birdie at the first extra play-off hole.
Earlier Karlsson had carded a 65 to finish tied atop of the board on 10-under par with Germany's Martin Kaymer (68) and England's Ross Fisher (65).
Fisher blew his chance of a second Tour win this year when he found the Swilcan Burn with his drive.
Kaymer and Karlsson both found the green in regulation with Kaymer firstly two-putting for a par before Karlsson sealed the euro545,811 ($1,153,200) winner's cheque by holing his four foot birdie.
Campbell's closing round included a second hole bogey but then five birdies including three in succession from his third hole.
"A 68 is a pretty good result and a good way to end my season in Europe," he said.
"Unfortunately it was Saturday's 77 that spoilt my chances but then there was plenty of guys who went backwards in the conditions.
"I would go so far to say that the conditions we had at Carnoustie on Saturday were probably the hardest I have ever experienced for some time in Europe and it's little wonder only six players in the whole field managed to break par."
Campbell ends his northern hemisphere season on a high note having made the halfway in his past eight events.
That's in stark contrast to earlier in the season when he missed 10 of 13 halfway cuts on the European Tour.
Also at the start of the year he was ranked 412th in the world and now after another strong showing Campbell's sure to improve on his current 191st ranking when the rankings are updated in London tomorrow.
"I heading home very happy having got myself back into a position where I am contending for tournaments as I showed last week in the British Masters," he said.
"That's something I couldn't say at the start of the year or even up until the British Open.
"But ever since the British Open I virtually haven't put a foot wrong so I'm delighted with my efforts and I am leaving a really positive note."
- NZPA
