New Zealand’s Michael Campbell declared it will be easier now to end a seven-year winless drought after Rory McIlroy missed the halfway cut in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Campbell, 43 holed a testing 10-foot putt for birdie at the last to shoot a round of a six-under par 64 and move to nine-under par on the Fanling course.

Four other over-40 year olds fill the next four positions on the board with Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, aged 48 posting a 67 to share second place on eight under par with 47-year old Lian-wei Zhang of China (66) and 40-year old Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed (66).

Anders Hasen matched Campbell’s 64 to be fifth on seven under par.

New Zealand’s Michael Campbell is all smiles as he looks to end a seven-year winless drought in the UBS Hong Kong Open. (Photo – Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)

Campbell had denied then World No. 1 Tiger Woods to capture the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst but hasn’t tasted success since defeating Irishman Paul McGinley four months later to win the HSBC World Match-Play Championship at Wentworth in England.

However it came as a surprise to Campbell to learn McIlroy, as defending Hong Kong Open champion, missed the cut with a five over par total.

“I didn’t know Rory had missed the cut so that makes life a lot easier,” he said smiling.

“But then Rory’s World No. 1 for a reason as he’s a wonderful talent and I’ve admired him ever since he turned pro.

“I played with him four years ago when he was 19 years old and he was very impressive then and still is now.

“What he’s done for the game and for himself is fantastic but this week it now makes winning the UBS Hong Kong Open a lot easier, definitely.”

The 43-year Spain-based Campbell, who was third in the recent Portugal Masters, confessed there has been occasions since his last win where he considered quitting the game but he’s gained inspiration from the winning efforts of fellow over-40 year old colleagues.

“You can’t buy confidence, you just have to earn it, and I think I’ve earned it over last seven years since I haven’t won a golf tournament,” said Campbell.

“But there have been times where I wanted to throw it in, but what’s really inspired me over the last, particularly over the last four or five years, is seeing my friends around the same age bracket as me, 40‑plus club:  The likes of Ernie winning his fourth major, Thomas Björn winning three times last year.

“Paul Lawrie’s had awonderful last couple of years;  Padraig Harrington, he’s 40 now; Jim Furyk winning the FedExCup.  And the list goes on.

“So being 40 isn’t that bad playing golf, and seeing my friends win tournaments left, right and centre definitely inspired me to don’t give up and keep on playing.”

A tired-sounding McIlroy ended his defence of the title taking a double bogey at the last hole in a round of 72 for a five over par tally.

“It’s disappointing as you never want to miss the cut and even more when you are defending a tournament,” he said.

“So it’s not the week I wanted but then I have a few days to work on my putting and try and get ready for Dubai.”