Campbell’s big payday in Fiji

It was a case of what might have been for New Zealand golfer Ben Campbell at the Fiji International yesterday.

He had to settle for third-equal, with four-time major winner Ernie Els, after a final round of six-under 66 at Natadola Bay.

Campbell finished two shots behind winner Gaganjeet Bhullar, of India, and one behind Queensland’s Anthony Quayle, who shot a course record 63.

A brilliant chip-in eagle by Bhullar on the par-five 17th was the decisive moment.

For Campbell, his third-round 77 was the disappointing part of an excellent week’s golf, which earned him $77,250, but the Masterton pro was in a positive mood after his final putt dropped.

‘‘It was close. Yesterday [Saturday] was the killer so to bounce back today was good. My game feels really close to getting the win, whether that is next week or whenever that is,’’ Campbell said.

‘‘I hung in there nicely and put a good round in today. It was a solid finish and will probably wrap up my Asian Tour card, which will be nice.

‘‘To turn the corner from one day shooting five-over to shooting sixunder, I think will give me a bit of confidence.’’

Despite a glitch that incorrectly showed Quayle a shot further under par on the leaderboards than he was, Bhullar held his nerve.

Mark Brown (72) and Harry Bateman (73) were the next best Kiwis, tied for 18th.