Golf: Campbell's summer gets hotter

MELBOURNE - Michael Campbell's magnificent season of golf scaled new heights when he cleared away to win the $1 million Ericsson Masters by four shots yesterday.

Campbell has been in a different league to his Australasian PGA Tour rivals this summer and it was no different in Melbourne as he kept his cool in windy conditions on the testing Huntingdale course to earn the traditional golden jacket.

While other big names floundered on the closing holes, Campbell managed a controlled even-par 73 to finish on 10-under.

Playing partner Brett Rumford, who had launched a challenge for the lead earlier in the day, also finished on his overnight score of 6-under after shooting 73. Young Spanish star Sergio Garcia was third on 4-under. Only six golfers were under par for the tournament.

It was Campbell's fourth win this summer, matching the efforts of Australians Greg Norman and Peter Senior in the 1980s. It takes his season prizemoney to $A927,000 ($1.2 million).

Campbell is the first non-Australian to win since American Mark O'Meara in 1986 and the second New Zealander after Barry Vivian in 1979.

Immediately after his win, the Wellington 30-year-old raised his hand in the air and, as has become custom, was greeted greenside by wife Julie and son Thomas.

Ever the perfectionist, his thoughts turned to his form on the final green.

"I bogeyed the last hole, that's three times in a row," he laughed, before attributing his new-found mental strength for his victory.

"Today was a very tough day, even par was probably a very good score. I can't believe nobody else has shot anything good today but I'm very happy."

Campbell said missing the cut at the Greg Norman International last week was a blessing in disguise.

"I was so fatigued my mind could not tell my body what to do last week. It was nice to have a week off."

Campbell's victory was based on rounds of 67 on the second and third days when conditions were far easier.

After bogeys on the first and ninth holes yesterday, Campbell was just two clear of the consistent Rumford at the turn, having to conjure up several good putts to save par.

The match turned at the par-five 10th. Campbell's second shot was well overhit but struck a member of the huge greenside gallery and left him a simple approach.

He nailed a long birdie putt, while Rumford missed a shorter one.

Rumford stayed in the hunt by parring every hole from the seventh to the 15th, but Campbell sealed the title with classy birdies on 15 and 16.

It was Campbell's third win in his last four tournaments, leading local media and fellow-players to dub him the Tiger Woods of Australasian golf. Last month he won the New Zealand Open at Paraparaumu Beach and the Heineken Classic in Perth. This summer he is a phenomenal 69-under par.

Of the other two New Zealanders, Matthew Lane shot a final-round 75 to finish 6-over and Marcus Wheelhouse 83 to close 14-over.

Campbell was 31st on the all-time money-winners on the Tour before this season but is now ranked fifth with $A1.502 million ($1.94 million). - NZPA