Golf: Campbell shares Open lead

PORTMARNOCK - A missed short putt on the final hole cost Michael Campbell the outright lead after the third round of the Irish Open yesterday.

Campbell, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and England's David Lynn completed the round tied at 10 under and one stroke clear of Sweden's Robert Karlsson and England's Greg Owen.

The New Zealander had a 71, Bjorn 68 and Lynn 72.

Bjorn benefited from a nine-hour sleep on Saturday night after carding a second-round 74, a day following his blistering Portmarnock course record of eight-under 64.

The Dane last week horribly let slip the opportunity to win the British Open.

Campbell is chasing his first victory since winning the European Open, just south of Dublin, 13 months ago. He and his parents, Tom and Maria, were up early to watch TV coverage of the All Black victory in Sydney.

"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."

Campbell said also he was particularly keen to win in front of his parents.

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

- NZPA