Campbell stuns field to win first major title

2005 US Open golf - Final Round

New Zealand’s Michael Campbell has surprised the golfing world, outduelling a gallant Tiger Woods down the stretch to capture the 2005 US Open by three shots on an unpredictable final day at North Carolina’s Pinehurst No. 2 course.

Trailing by three entering the final round, Campbell fired a near flawless one-under 69 to finish at even par for the championship, which was enough to overtake a disintegrating Retief Goosen (81) and hold off a surging Tiger Woods (two-over) on the back nine.

Campbell’s first major tournament victory was just the second overall for New Zealand, following Kiwi left-hander Bob Charles’ 1963 British Open triumph.

As for the Australians, Mark Hensby ended up in a tie for third at five-over to continue his fine major championship form this year, while Adam Scott, Stephen Allan and Geoff Ogilvy all struggled to 11-over.

In the aftermath of the breakthrough win, an emotional Campbell described his thought process before the day’s round before paying tribute to his family and countrymen back home.

‘I just knew if I played well enough I was a chance and if I shot two or three-under I could win the tournament. Things went my way, I sunk some long putts and some good par saving ones too,’ a beaming Campbell said.

‘It was back in my mind the whole day today, thinking about Bob (Charles), when he won the 63 Open ... I can just walk away right now and tell the people back home, if I can do it, so can you.’

It took the New Zealander just six holes to secure the lead from the defending champion Goosen, who inexplicably collapsed after an opening par to drop six strokes on the front nine and a further five on the back.

Woods made the worst start possible to his final round campaign- he fluffed chips on the first two holes - which led to bogeys and almost immediately the world no. 1 was eight shots off the pace.

Campbell was playing by far the best golf of the leading bunch and his straight-hitting, clever short game and deadly accurate putter was allowing him to extend the lead over his rivals, who were regularly finding themselves in trouble.

Vijay Singh’s woes with the short stick continued and he could do no better than six-over for the tournament and without ever seriously threatening, Sergio Garcia’s even-par final round gave his a share of third place.

In the final pairing with Goosen, crowd favourite and world no. 818 Jason Gore failed to make an impression on the lead, regularly dropping shots before signing off on an 84. Relative-unknown Olin Browne began the afternoon alongside Campbell, but a similar fadeout saw him complete the four days at 10-over par.

With the majority of the leaders faltering, Woods soon made his charge, attacking the tight pin positions with precision iron play and for the first time all week, sinking some lengthy putts.

An unlikely shootout developed as only two golfers were in contention now, with just two shots separating the American and the Kiwi with three holes to play.

With Woods on fire, many predicted Campbell would succumb to the pressure, but instead it was the nine-time major winner who stumbled, bogeying both the 16th and 17th to hand the New Zealander a comfortable four-shot buffer.

A three-putt on the last mattered little to an elated Campbell, as he etched his name alongside the legends of golf who have won the prestigious US Open title.

‘It’s amazing, I wasn’t going to come actually, but this has completely changed my whole career now. This is what I practice for; I’ve been working really hard on myself and my game. I can’t believe I’m holding this trophy.’

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