Michael Campbell is headed for his best finish in four years after muscling his way to a share of third place with a round to play in the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.
Campbell has turned back the clock on the Oceanico Victoria Course and delighting fans with the style of golf that saw him keep then World No. 1 Tiger Woods at arm’s reach and capture the 2005 U.S. Open.
Michael Campbell now staring at his best finish in four years heading to final round of Portugal Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
The proud New Zealander is just one of handful of competitors to have posted three rounds in the 60s with Campbell shooting scores of 68, 69 and a third round 67.
Campbell heads into the final day of the Euro 2.5m trailing just four shots behind talented Austrian Bernd Wiesberger who shot a 65 to lead England’s Ross Fisher (66) with Campbell’s fellow Irish Open winners in England’s Richard Finch (66) and Ireland’s Shane Lowry (67) tied with Campbell on nine under par.
The very-relaxed looking Kiwi golfer had five birdies in his round with the only disappointment a bogey at the 18th, and it was only his second bogey in 54-holes.
For those close followers of Campbell, including www.golfbytourmiss.com Bernie McGuire who provides much of the editorial content for Campbell’s website www.cambogolf.com, it’s a great return to form for the now Spanish-based golfer.
“To bogey the last was like taking a par because it’s a tough finishing hole so I’m pleased with my score,” he said.
“It’s seven years since my last win and I was surprised how calm I was out there, but I’ve won enough around the world to know what to do, and I’m pretty excited about tomorrow.
“Over the last three or four years, I’ve put too much pressure on myself to perform. I’ve gone back to basics, and it’s fun once again.”
A check of Campbell’s stats for the three days shows he’s averaging around 28 putts a round.
Campbell played the third round in the company of Lowry and will be out on day four in the company of England’s Mark Foster.
The last time Campbell found himself finishing third was the penultimate event of the 2008 schedule – the Quinn Direct British Masters at The Belfry course in England.
