KEY POINTS:
Michael Campbell's return to the European golf tour turned decidedly sour with the former US Open champion plummeting to a share of last place on day three of the French Open in Versailles.
Campbell carded a six over par 77 for a nine over par tally that included a 14th hole double bogey followed by three bogeys over the next four holes on the National Club course.
There was just one birdie on his score card and that was at the eighth hole.
Campbell again appeared to be struggling with his putter as he recorded 35 putts and two more than in Friday's score of 74.
Twelve months ago Campbell headed to the French Open final round leading by one but on this occasion he will tee up on day four trailing 16 shots behind Denmark's Soren Hansen.
Campbell shares last place with Frenchman Francois Delamontagne and the New Zealander will be looking for a confidence boosting last day ahead of next Thursday's European Open at the K. Club, an event he claimed in 2002.
Meanwhile, Hamilton's Steve Alker will tee-up on Monday in a 36-hole British Open International Qualifier at the Sunningdale course in Surrey, England.
Alker is the lone New Zealander in the 120-player field with at least the top dozen place-getters earning a place in the July 19th starting British Open at Carnoustie.
Alker, 35, has only once competed in a British Open and that was in 1998 at Royal Birkdale where he missed the cut.
He returned to the European Tour this year after a lengthy absence but has struggled in his 13 Order of Merit counting events with a best of 23rd in March's Indonesian Open.
Campbell is the only New Zealander entered in the British Open and earned his place courtesy of a five-year exemption by winning the 2005 US Open.
Welshman Ian Woosnam will be the only former major champion competing in the Sunningdale qualifier whilst a mystery virus has ruled out hapless Frenchman Jean Van de Velde from returning to Carnoustie where in 1999 he blew a three-stroke lead with one hole to play ahead of being beaten in a play-off.
- NZPA
