New Zealand’s Ben Campbell sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th gap Sunday to win the Hong Kong Open by one shot over former Open champion Cameron Smith in a dramatic end to the Asian Tour occasion at Fanling.
Campbell carded a four-under 66 within the remaining spherical to complete 19-under general and edge Smith to a title beforehand gained by main champions Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Greg Norman.
“I used to be battling away all day,” stated Campbell, who grew to become the primary participant to win this event since its return from a four-year hiatus as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. “I did not get off to one of the best of begins and the swing wasn’t feeling that nice.”
In a single day chief Phachara Khongwatmai suffered a late stoop Sunday, capturing a 69 to drop into third-place tie with Canada’s Richard T. Lee at 17-under.
Campbell, Smith and Phachara have been locked in a three-way tie heading into the 18th gap. However Campbell emerged together with his first profession Asian Tour victory after Smith and Phachara each missed birdie putts.
“It is good to lastly get the monkey off the again,” Campbell stated.
Smith, who gained the 2022 Open Championship, stated he was dissatisfied together with his general efficiency after ending at 18-under for the event.
“Fairly poor over the weekend I suppose, however I hung in there, so numerous positives,” he stated. “Positively wasn’t the nicest golf to be performed over final couple of days — nonetheless tons to work on.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
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