Arrowtown next for Kiwi PGA golf champion Ben Campbell
Kiwi golfer Ben Campbell has consigned last year’s playoff loss to the history books as he pulled off a two-shot win at the New Zealand PGA Championship in Palmerston North.
The 26-year-old, from Wairarapa, spent a couple of years playing at the Manawatu¯ Golf Club and used his hometown knowledge to hold on during a gusty final round on Sunday.
‘‘I was really happy when I woke up this morning and saw how windy it was. That suits my game,’’ he said after his first professional win.
‘‘I suppose it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I was close a couple of times last year. My game’s been feeling very good and it’s nice to get it right here and get the win [in front of] plenty of family and friends.’’
After failing to sink a birdie putt and losing to Australian Jarryd Felton at the PGA last year, Campbell, the following week, also lost the New Zealand Open in a playoff. This year, Campbell took a three-shot lead into the par-four final hole, but caused grimaces among the healthy gallery watching as his tee shot faded into the trees.
Luckily, he could see his way out of trouble and his second shot was magnificent, landing on the green and giving him an easy two putt for a popular win. On the previous hole, his first shot landed in a fairway bunker, but a sand wedge out was similarly successful.
However, he missed a short putt and bogeyed. Playing partner and fellow overnight leader Deyen Lawson, from Australia, was left with too much to do on the 18th, but had a solid round and was never far away.
On the front nine, Campbell was at times wayward off the tee. And, in the playing group in front of him, two Australians were making a play for the title.
Victorian Open winner Simon Hawkes pushed to the lead, but was unlucky on the greens, finding the lip more than the hole.Anthony Quayle was briefly in front, but struck disaster on the 17th when he lost his ball and had to tee off again, ruling him out of the running. He finished in a tie for seventh.
Campbell really found his grove on the 15th, landing a tough downhill left-to-right putt for a birdie, taking him to 19 under par.
‘‘I just knew I was going to hole that one,’’ he said.
Campbell has been working on his short game and putting lately, and this kept him in the lead.
After chest inflammation kept him out of golf, Campbell’s career picked up last year and this year he’s earned an Asian Tour card after making it through qualifying school. But, first, he’ll try to repeat his Palmerston North success at next week’s NZ Open at Arrowtown.
Campbell earned $18,750 for the Australasian Tour win, and, in a nice touch, had mum Jan Wyeth as his caddie. Nick Voke and David Smail were the next Kiwis home, in a tie for seventh. Tim Wilkinson ended in a tie for 13th at 11 under.