Elusive amateur title slips away
Leading Kiwi amateur golfer Ben Campbell finished third in the Australian Master of the Amateurs at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club after an even-par 72 in the final round, continuing New Zealand’s drought at the tournament.
The 20-year-old had rounds of 73, 75 and a superb 65 to jump to second place and within five shots of the leader, Australian Nathan Holman, heading into Sunday’s final round.
But he could not replicate that magic and Holman held on to win by five shots from compatriot Daniel Nisbet.
The Masterton player’s thirdplace finish means the record of no New Zealander having won the prized Master of Amateurs title continues.
New Zealand amateur champion Mathew Perry finished in a share of 18th after a fine threeunder par 69 in the final round.
Southland No 1 Vaughan McCall also went under par in the final round with a one-under 71 to leave Royal Melbourne tied 25th.
Sadly, Auckland rep Sam An had an up-and-down week with rounds of 77, 72, 77 and 72 to finish tied 31st.
Meanwhile, none of the seven Kiwis were successful in gaining a full Oneasia tour card at the finalstage qualifying school event in Malaysia.
A top-20 finish in the 70-strong field was required, but Nick Gillespie was the best of the New Zealanders in a tie for 36th.
Hamish Roberston finished T42, Ryan Fox T46, Jae An T49, Pieter Zwart T54, and Jared Pender and Brad Shilton T59.
It leaves Michael Hendry, Gareth Paddison and Michael Long to fly the Kiwi flag on a fulltime basis.