Golf: Campbell shares Riversdale Cup lead

Ben Campbell. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Ben Campbell has grabbed a share of the lead going into today's final round of the Riversdale Cup in Melbourne.

Campbell, New Zealand's leading amateur golfer, shot a three-under-par 69 yesterday to move to seven-under and a share of the lead with Australian Nathan Holman in one of the oldest and most prestigious international amateur tournaments in Australia.

The pair has a one shot lead from overnight leader Matthew Stieger and fellow Australian Brett Drewett with a further shot back to Australia's Todd Sinnott and New Zealand's Fraser Wilkin.

On a testing day at the Riversdale course, Campbell remained patient, making birdies in two of the last four holes in his 69. The Masterton player, basing himself in Melbourne for much of this summer, has moved to No 16 in the world rankings.

He will attempt to become just the second New Zealander to win the Riversdale Cup, following Mathew Holten to win the tournament that was established in 1896,

Wilkin (Royal Auckland) remained in contention despite a two-over 74 yesterday, in a share of fifth place on five-under.

Mt Maunganui's Brad Kendall shot an even par 72 to be in seventh place on four-under par, two shots ahead of Ryan Fox (Royal Auckland) who shot a two-over 74.

While players found conditions testing Sunday, South Island strokeplay champion Vaughan McCall found the going to his liking with a five-under par 67 moving him to one-over and a share of 14th place with Auckland's Sam An, who shot five birdies and a bogey in his 68.

Leading scores (NZ unless stated):

209 Ben Campbell 70 70 69, Nathan Holman (AUS) 62 75 72
210 Matthew Stieger (AUS) 67 68 75, Brad Drewitt (AUS) 69 68 73
211 Fraser Wilkin 68 69 74, 138 Todd Sinnott (AUS) 67 71 73
212 Brad Kendall 72 68 72
214 Ryan Fox 72 68 74

Also:
217 Vaughan McCall 72 77 67, Sam An 73 76 68