Two bogeys over the final two holes cost Michael Campbell a place in next fortnight’s Open Championship.
Campbell had birdied the 16th hole at Prince’s to move to six under par and the assurance of place in golf’s oldest Major with just two holes to play.
Michael Campbell at Prince's for Local Final Qualifying. (Photo - R & A)
The former U.S. Open champion had ended the opening round with six birdies in a four under par 68 to lying in a share of second place and the excellent chance to securing one of three places in the July 14th starting Major.
After a short luncheon break it was back to the course for the closing 18-holes.
But it began poorly for Campbell when he bogeyed the first to slip to three under par.
However Campbell then rebounded with two birdies at the second and fifth holes before an electrical storm halted play with Campbell on the sixth hole.
Campbell then went to six under par and sharing the lead among the 71 players competing when he birdied the ninth on the 1932 British Open venue.
He dropped a shot at the next, the long par four 10th hole before getting back to six under par with a birdie at the par four, 16th.
But bogeys at the par three 16th and the par four 17th spoilt Campbell’s chance for a second year running at Local Final Qualifying.
“I’m disappointed how I finished but they’re tough finishing holes here with a three-iron par three and a drive, then a three iron approach on the last,” he said.
“It was a strange experience hiring a local caddy for 36 holes and playing with no ropes for crowd control, it’s something I don’t really want to get used to.
“Just looking across to see the finishing holes and leader boards at St. George’s brings back very fond memories. I’ve played in 10 Opens to date and want to be back there soon.
“The great thing is to be playing pain-free for the first time in two years. I’m a lot healthier and fitter now after my shoulder problems and feel I’m playing well. There have been times when I’ve thought about doing something else for a living, but I love this game too much
to quit.
“I’ve won 15 tournaments around the world and fell I can do so again. I had a great chat to Sir Steve Redgrave a few months back and he was inspiring and inspirational. I believe I have plenty to give to the game still and if I can stay fit and eager, there’s no reason why I can’t win again.”
Campbell’s five-year exemption into the British Open for winning the 2005 U.S. Open had ended in 2009.
Campbell was then rushing to cross The Channel and prepare for this week’s French Open in Versailles.
However can still qualify for the British Open should he finish among the top five finishers, and not otherwise exempt, in either in this week’s French Open and next week’s Scottish Open.
The England trio of Simon Edwards (137) along with Thomas Shadbolt (139) and local Prince’s pro Francis McGuirk (139) finished top qualifiers at Princes.
At nearby Royal Cinque Ports England amateur, Craig Hinton finished top qualifier with a 139 tally.
Four players, including Scotland’s and former Tour player, Scott Henderson were involved in a play-off for two spots.
Talented England amateur, Tom Whitehouse shot scores of 63 and 65 at Rye to storm into the British Open by three shots with an eight under par tally.
Also qualifying was Oxford’s Adam Wootton, with rounds of 63 and 68, also qualified while two others were in a play-off.
And the electrical storm caused severe havoc at Littlestone and will have to be completed early Wednesday morning.
All five leading players had not completed their second round.
Earlier Campbell got off to a flying start on the course that adjoins Royal St. George’s.
“This, the process of having to qualify, is a very humbling experience for me,” said Campbell.
“Having won a major and having enjoyed the exemptions that come with it for quite a few years there’s a danger of taking all that for granted, but this experience certainly focuses your attention and gets your mind back on the job.
“Prince’s is set up nicely, a little too soft for a ‘real links’ if I’m honest, but I got a few tantalising glimpses of Royal St George’s over the fences out there and that looks in great shape.
“That certainly whets the appetite for next month.”
