Campbell holds on to claim victory

Michael Campbell of New Zealand had a five-stroke lead with four holes to play and then barely held on to win the Smurfit European Open Sunday at the K Club near Dublin.

Campbell carded a 1-over 73 to finish at 6-under 282, one stroke ahead of Bradley Dredge, Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie and Padraig Harrington.

Dredge and Goosen each shot final rounds of 4-under 68 and headed to the clubhouse at 5-under, but did not appear to be a threat to Campbell, who was on the course at 10-under.

Lawrie birdied his last hole to close his round of 73, leaving Campbell and Harrington on the course.

Campbell birdied the 12th and 13th holes and Harrington bogeyed the 14th, opening a five-stroke lead for Campbell.

But Harrington hit a birdie three on the 15th and Campbell bogeyed, closing the gap to three strokes. Campbell bogeyed the next hole as well while Harrington saved par, holing from 10 feet after a penalty drop.

Harrington had a chance to take another stroke off the lead on the 17th, but missed a three-foot putt, leaving Campbell two ahead on the final hole.

Campbell gave Harrington another chance when his approach shot found the water. But with a six iron in his hand, Harrington pulled his shot left into the water. Campbell needed just two putts to claim the first prize of $515,584.

"I was cruising along with four holes to play and I said 'This is it, I've got the trophy in one arm' but unfortunately it wasn't in the other," Campbell said. "I think my emotions got too far ahead of myself and I made some ridiculous mistakes."

Harrington ended up with a 73.

"I'm gutted," Harrington said. "Michael got so much ahead he saw the winning post and started to bleed. Certainly a good chance for me to win the tournament and I am gutted."

Defending champion Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland followed a 76 with a 67 and finished at 1-under.

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