Campbell Hoping The 18th Can Again Be Kind In Securing A Swiss Podium Finish
Bernie McGuire, Crans Montana
Saturday, 3rd September, 2011
The final hole of the Crans-sur-Sierre course was kind to Michael Campbell for third day running with the New Zealander posting a three under par 68 to move to seven under par in the Omega European Masters.
Campbell’s 25-foot birdie was his fifth birdie on day three on the Crans-sur-Sierre couse. It left Campbell trailing seven shots behind Welshman Jamie Donaldson who carded a six-under par 65 and lead by a stroke at 14-under par.
Donaldson is looking for his first Race to Dubai success in over 200 events, and he’s sure to feel the pressure on the final day with World No. 2 Lee Westwood in second place on 13-under par.
Westwood, who is struggling with a head cold, posted a remarkable 64. And reigning U. S. Open champ, Rory McIlroy is in third place after carding a 67 to move to 12-under par.
However McIlroy was left ruing dropping shots at the 16th and 17th holes as he seeks to go to No. 3 in the world should he win this week.
Campbell was again headed back to his hotel straight after his round and pleased with his day’s work that included birdies at the first, third, seventh, 12th and of course, at the 18th.
“The 18th has been really kind to me this week and I don’t seem to be able to do a thing wrong, and even when I hit the flagstick one day because you never want to hit the flagstick,” he said.
However the Callaway staff player knows that he is going to have to produce a really low round to have a chance of grabbing a podium finish.
“I’m really excited about tomorrow as I am on four back and there’s all to play for,” he said.
“This is what we try to do on Saturday’s and that’s to work our way into position, and then give it your best shot and see what happens.
“I can’t go out there thinking about Lee or Rory ahead of me, but what I can do is try and shoot a 63 or a 64 to give them something to think about.”
And with the forecast of heavy rain organisers have brought forward the final round with the leading three players out last at an early 9.45am.
