Ben Campbell is a relieved champion after claiming his first professional victory at the Horizon Golf NZ PGA Championship in Palmerston North.
Returning to the Manawatu Golf Club following a runner-up finish in 2017, Campbell made his presence known from the start, holding a share of the lead after the first and third rounds.
He fired 64, 66, 67 and 69 for a total of 18-under 266 to win the title by two shots from Deyen Lawson (VIC) and Ashley Hall (VIC).
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I was close a couple of times last year and my game has been feeling really good lately so it’s nice to get the win, especially around here with family and friends around,” said Campbell.
“I changed my putting about two weeks ago and I was quite surprised how well it held up this week. I missed a short one on the front nine today but I knew exactly what I had done and I took some time out to re-set and ultimately holed some good ones coming in.
“There was a nice one on 15, it was weird, I was standing over the putt and I just knew that I was going to hole that one,” said Campbell who gained the outright lead on the 14thhole and never relinquished it.
Waking up this morning Campbell was greeted by windy conditions, which he feels played to his favour.
“I was actually really happy when I woke up this morning and saw how windy it was. I thought it would suit my game and I thought anyone would struggle to go really low out there, although Simon Hawkes was six under after nine holes.
“I felt pretty calm out there the whole time. I learned from last year, especially at the Open (New Zealand), so I didn’t get nervous. It was nice to put myself in position and get across the line.”
It was a line he crossed with his mum, Jan Wyeth, caddieing for him.
“Mum caddied for me in a couple of pro-ams earlier in the year and we won both of them. So I thought it is close to home, she can get on the bag and we managed to get across the line again. Maybe mum is the lucky charm,” added Campbell.
“I also had a lot of mates from Wellington come up and family travel here so it was pretty special to get the win in front of them.”
Campbell’s first victory as a professional also closes a chapter on his career that was marred by mysterious injuries, which limited his playing schedule in 2015 and 2016.
“It was a pretty tough time; I spent a lot of money and was told a few times that I would never play golf again,” said Campbell.
“I saw so many doctors trying to figure out what was wrong and I just kept not taking no for an answer. I stuck at it and saw light at the end of the tunnel.
“I have worked really hard to get where I am. Through my injury I pretty much had to start at rock bottom again so it’s a pretty sweet feeling to get the win and get the monkey off my back.”
Deyen Lawson and Ashley Hall finished runner-up, shooting even par and six-under 65, respectively.
Oates Vic Open winner Simon Hawkes held the outright lead on Sunday but faded to finish fourth on 15 under.
Antonio Murdaca and Matt Millar tied for fifth on 14 under. A shot further back and rounding out the top-10 were Maverick Antcliff (QLD), Nick Voke (NZ), David Smail (NZ) and Anthony Quayle (QLD).
For all scores from the 2018 Horizon Golf NZ PGA Championship please visit pga.org.au.
For his win Campbell collected AU$17,022.37 and is now 15th on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
The tour will now travel south to Queenstown for the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open to be played at Millbrook Resort and The Hills from 1-4 March.
