Golf: Cambo, Phil out of rough

Two comeback Kiwis are close to the lead in significant golf tournaments on both sides of the Atlantic - Michael Campbell at the British Masters and Phil Tataurangi at the Byron Nelson Classic in Texas.

Campbell has blasted his way out of a depressing flat patch following his historic win at the US Open last year, while Tataurangi, a winner on the PGA Tour in 2002, is making his way back from debilitating back injuries.

Both gave little sign of the rapid improvement they have shown this week. Campbell has not played much and has been unconvincing when he did, although the 2005 US Open champion has always said that he has come to terms with his up-and-down form and has faith that he will always snap back into it.

Tataurangi has played in five PGA tournaments this season before the Byron Nelson, with three missed cuts and his best result being 64th in the Bell South Classic last month.

Campbell intends drawing on his US Open winning 'fear factor' after remaining in contention on day two of the British Masters at The Belfry. He carded a second-round 70 for a seven under tally, four strokes behind England's Paul Casey.

"Today's round was a reflection of having not played much golf at all," said Campbell.

He spent the past five weeks settling into a new home in Sydney.

"I hit a few stray shots and it cost me a couple of bogeys here and there. Besides that, it's nice to go out and play a B game the last couple of days and still have a chance to win ...

"My last round of golf was Augusta a month ago, and then the next time I played golf was Monday of this week so I didn't touch a golf club, and the closest I've come to a golf course is playing mini-putt with my two sons."

Campbell now has 31 days remaining in his reign as US Open champion and the 37-year old intends to make the most of his stature as a current major title holder.

"Being the US Open does give me a fear factor and more so than other players who have not won a major," he said. "Knowing I have won a major, and knowing I've won the World Match-Play and they see my name up there would make them think twice and that's one thing I've noticed over the last 12 months."

"That is a nice situation to be in and it's nice for the ego. It's nice too as it really empowers me knowing they are looking at me as a major front runner for this event."

Casey recorded a six-under par 66 followed by Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke on eight under par. He is a stroke clear of five players including Campbell, England's Ian Poulter and former New Zealand Open champion Peter O'Malley of Australia who birdied his closing three holes in a score of 66.

Meanwhile, with Tataurangi recording a 66, Australia's Adam Scott held on to a share of the lead after a day of record scoring at the Byron Nelson. Tataurangi was six under the card in joint fifth place, with Pebble Beach National Pro-Am winner Aaron Oberholser (60), who rattled up 10 birdies on his way, and American Steve Lowery (69). In relatively calm conditions, Scott fired a flawless five-under-par 65 at the Cottonwood Valley Course, ending the second round at 10-under 130.

Level with the 25-year-old from Adelaide was American Brett Wetterich, who shot a seven-birdie 64 on the TPC at Las Colinas, the other course being used for the first two days. The TPC layout will host the last two rounds.

Three strokes adrift in a tie for third was American Joe Ogilvie, who charged into contention with a sparkling 62 at Cottonwood Valley. But Ogilvie's impressive performance was upstaged later in the day by compatriot Oberholser, who set a course record with a blemish-free 60.

- AGENCIES