Golf: Disappointing finale for Campbell

New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell was at his dignified best despite the disappointment of forfeiting victory in the British Masters in Birmingham, England, this morning.

Campbell produced an indifferent putting display on the Sutton Coldfield course in a final round 74, for a nine-under-par tally and a share of fifth place.

Swedish outsider Johan Edfors stunned the British crowd to come from four strokes behind overnight leader Paul Casey of England and win by a stroke with a last round 70 for a four round 11-under par total.

It is Edfors' second success in seven weeks, after breaking his European Tour victory drought with a win in March's TCL Classic in China.

The 30-year old Spanish-based Swede earned a first prize cheque of €438,000 ($907,900) and is the first repeat winner on the 2006 International Schedule.

"It's turning into a pretty good season and all I was doing was to try and hold onto my card so it's been a great year so far," Edfors said.

But it was a day that will be remembered more for the self-destruction of some of Europe's leading lights.

Casey began the final round leading Campbell by two strokes whilst Darren Clarke was well in winning frame a shot further adrift of the reigning US Open champion.

After birdieing the fifth to move to 14-under par, Casey crashed from a second win this season with a horror three hole showing mid round when he bogeyed nine, double-bogeyed 10 and then dropped a shot at the 11th.

Casey then blew the chance of joining Edfors for the lead when the six-times European Tour winning hero saw his eagle putt lip-out at the 17th.

Casey then three-putted the last in a round of 76 to finish tied in fifth place on nine under par with Campbell who produced his own nightmare on the greens in a score of 74.

"It just wasn't my day but it was nice to be up there again and in contention but Johan played great and he deserved to win," said Campbell who was coming off a five week break but looking to stamp his US Opeb and World Match-Play winning class.

Campbell, starting the last day in second place at 11-under par, birdied the third to move to 12-under par before the shock of a three-putt from six feet at the ninth hole.

Campbell, who had been in a bunker with his second, sent his first putt three foot past the cup and then his bogey attempt a similar distance back past the hole.

He then bogeyed the 12th and 14th holes to drop to eight under par before birdies at 15 and 17 breathed some life into his game.

But his challenge for the lead soon disappeared when Campbell three-putted from the fringe of the green at the last for bogey.

"It was exciting to be there at the end and that's why I play this game, to go out there and compete and see if I can rise to the occasion," Campbell said.

"There were some putts out there which I missed for birdie but it was an indifferent round as I got off to a cracking start.

"The positive thing is that this result will help in my build up for the US Open.

"I know I am slowly building confidence and today was a great day to test myself."

The result is Campbell's second straight top-five result in the event after finishing fourth last year at the Forest of Arden course.

His €101,691 ($210,700) prize cheque has lifted Campbell from 71st to 37th on the European Tour Order of Merit.

Campbell will now cross the Irish Sea to Ireland for Thursday's starting Irish Open an event he won in 2003.

- NZPA