Campbell poised for maiden Aust Victory

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2011 Riversdale Cup | Round Three | 14 Mar 2011

New Zealand’s Ben Campbell this summer in Australia has lead or had a share of the lead three times during the final round of a main amateur tournament and again finds himself in this familiar territory at the Riversdale Cup.

Campbell shares the lead in Melbourne with Nathan Holman at 7-under-par, two ahead of their nearest rivals, Brett Drewitt and Matt Stieger.

Ranked 24th in the world, Campbell has been in the breech of winning a main Australian title after chances at the Master of the Amateurs, the Lake Macquarie Amateur and Tasmanian Open.

A prodigious talent, the 19-year-old Campbell fired rounds of 70-70-69 around the challenging Riversdale layout and along with Holman, endured the worst of conditions during today’s rain delay third round.

“It’s always good to be in the last group in a main event,” says Campbell.

“One of my goals this season was to try and get into as many last groups as possible, so it’s being going good so far. My game has been solid and I’ve been looking at where the flags are so as to get the best approach in and it’s paying off.”

Campbell is acutely aware the numerous occasions that he’s had chances to win a main title, which has eluded him through final rounds he’d rather forget. It would be too harsh to say Campbell’s failed to close out a tournament this season, rather it’s probably a case that he’s missed some critical opportunities at critical times which were costly. That goes with the territory, which certainly is frustrating for any emerging player of Campbell’s calibre.

“It’s been frustrating a little,” he says.

“I was leading going into the final rounds or had a lead in the final round at the Master of the Amateurs, the Lake Macquarie Amateur and at the Tasmanian Open, but I think you learn from each event and hopefully I can get this one across the line.”

Campbell has being working hard with the mental side of his game in an attempt to get that title across the line. He’s employed Noel Blundell, a sports physiologist, to keep his mind on check and remove any negative inferences that goes with the territory with being close in so many events, yet far from collecting the silverware.

“I haven’t had a win yet in Aussie,” says Campbell.

“Last year I came second in the Aussie Am to Matt Jager and I feel that I’ve had a bit of bad luck in some events this summer in final rounds. The mental side is important and I’m focusing more on my pre-shot routine to keep me in the zone and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

When the glove is on and the event is a major, Campbell is continually challenging for the title. Already he’s turning heads with recent main amateur results that include two 4th place individual finishes at the World Amateur Championships in Argentina back in October and in the Asian Amateur in Japan the week earlier.

Players of Campbell’s calibre are making us wonder what will come of them, even given the fickle nature of the game where one great season can be followed with one where you’re grinding to retain your relevance. Campbell continues to impress us with his gritty style of play and fine run of international results achieved against the world’s best.

“I’m a better player than six months ago when I was at the World Amateur,” says Campbell.

“I’ve got a strong team behind me with Marty [Joyce] and others and its made a huge difference to my game. Hopefully, all the work will come together and I’ll get the result tomorrow.”

With five players within two strokes of Campbell, the Riversdale Cup is anything but a closed affair.

Nathan Holman continues to challenge for the title after a blistering opening equalling course record round of 10-under-par 62, followed by rounds of 75-72. Holman, 19, displayed stellar golf during the brunt of the disruptions with today’s third round as heavy rain caused play to be suspended for an hour. The Victorian remains confident that he can collect his maiden victory and win an event that’s dear to his heart.

“After the opening 10-under-par round I did not know what to expect,” said Holman, who’s another emerging young gun from the Marty Joyce fold.

“Today, I felt like that I played well and pretty consistent. If I can keep that up I should be in with a chance.”

Holman is off a top-10 finish at the Master of the Amateurs back in January at Royal Melbourne and currently sits outside the top-500 in the world amateur ranking. World ranking aside, Holman has been one of the more consistent Australian amateur players this season with top-10 finishes including the Port Phillip Amateur, Northern Territory Open, Boroondara Cup, the Dunes Medal and at the 2009 Portsea Open Amateur.

“It is all about consistency,” says Holman.

“You need to put four good rounds together and that’s what I’m focusing upon getting done. I’ve worked hard on my short game as that’s where I’ve lacked a bit. If I’m chipping and putting well, I’ll have a good round. I’ve always looked forward to the Riversdale Cup and really would like to win an event like this.”

Brett Drewitt is another eager to claim his maiden National Selection event and elevate his ranking within the National squad after good mate Matt Stieger was recently promoted to a level 2 standing. Drewitt has fired rounds of 69-68-73 to be at 6-under-par and is a stroke behind Campbell and Holman.

A tenacious competitor, Drewitt already has an international title to his credit with the Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship in British Columbia which he secured last July for the only international win by an Australian in 2010. Drewitt has the game and attitude to take this Riversdale Cup out and I would not be surprised to see him holding the trophy following tomorrow’s final round.

Drewitt’s round today was mixed, one of lost opportunities more than anything else, yet no player competing was able to really make any move as the conditions were tough and the newly lengthen rough at Riversdale swallowed any errant shot. Drewitt’s 73 minimised any real damage and he remains easily within striking distance of the leaders, as does second round leader Matt Stieger.

Stieger today appeared frustrated throughout his third round 75, to add to his opening rounds of 67-68, where he dropped three strokes from his overnight lead he held at 9-under-par. Stieger is a fierce competitor, even fiery at times with himself when mistakes flow, but being a stroke behind from the leaders, knows he’s got the game and opportunity to take out another National Selection title after claiming the Tasmanian Open a fortnight ago.

It sets the stage for an intriguing final day at the Riversdale Cup.

The new found approach that Campbell has applied to his game could reward him with benefits, in not only handing him his first National Trial event title, but also the first win on Australian soil.

Campbell has shown plenty of poise and confidence during the last three rounds. His striking has been pure and he’s reading the slippery Riversdale greens well. He will take some stopping tomorrow and should he be holding the trophy, it will be a fitting victory to a fine young emerging player who’e had his share of chances, yet has so far been denied at the post.