Campbell moves into two shot lead

New Zealand’s Michael Campbell fired a seven-under-par 65 to lead Thomas Bjorn of Denmark by two shots going into the final round at the Heineken Classic at The Vines Resort in Perth, Western Australia.

Volvo Order of Merit leader Campbell carded the best round of the tournament, notching up eight birdies to overtake 1998 champion Bjorn, who added a third straight 68.

"I don't think I've ever played better tee to green. With the hype of leading and Thomas playing so well, I lifted my game to an extra level,” Campbell said.

Scotland’s Alistair Forsyth, 23-year-old winner of this season’s Qualifying School, heads a group of five players who are four shots further back on 8 under, in only his second Tour event. 

He is joined in a tie for third with Australians Peter O’Malley and Stephen Leaney, Sweden’s Johan Skold and Alex Cjeka of Germany.

Campbell is chasing his second successive Tour victory after landing last week’s New Zealand Open to add to the season–opening Johnnie Walker Classic title he landed in Taiwan in November after fighting off an onslaught from World No. 1 Tiger Woods, Els and Australian Geoff Ogilvy.

"I'm riding the crest of a wave and when I play like this I think I can beat anybody in the world. But I can still see room for improvement. My expectations are a lot higher even than they were last week," he said.

The only blemish on Campbell’s card was a bogie at the 393-yard par four 14^th, while Bjorn enjoyed a four-hole birdie-blitz around the turn to keep in touch.

Former Ryder Cup star Bjorn whose lacklustre form rose at the end of last season with a win in the Sarazen World Open heaped praise on the 30-year-old Kiwi who excelled despite the searing 47 degree temperatures.

"I have only ever seen one or two guys in my life play as well as Michael did,” he said.

"But I ran out of steam in the heat. I've had three frustrating days on the greens. I've played well enough to be leading by 10 shots.

Seven shots off the pace is double US Open champion Ernie Els, while Australian hero Greg Norman is out of the hunt after compiling a three-round total of three under.

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