Golf: Campbell boosted by Hurricanes' semi-final win

Michael Campbell

DUBLIN - Michael Campbell birdied his final hole from off the green to finish with a second round one over par 73 to stay in sight of the leaders heading to the closing two rounds of the weather affected Irish Open.

Further lifting the gloom of a rain-sodden Dublin day for Campbell was news the Wellington-based Hurricanes had won their Super 14 semi-final showdown against the NSW Waratahs.

"I just heard they won 16 -14 so go those Hurricanes."

Campbell sank a testing four-metre putt for his birdie on the last and goes into the weekend in a tie for 15th on one over par 145, five strokes behind Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts who carded rounds of 73 and 67.

In a rain-disrupted first two days Campbell finished his first round some five hours earlier posting an even par 72.

Campbell played just eight holes to be level par on Thursday when play was halted at 9pm local time following a six-hour loss earlier in the day due to high winds.

Returning the following morning Campbell finished his first round three hours later and after an hour's break started his second round.

Dropping three shots in his first six holes Campbell rallied with birdies at the 12th and 18th to finish one over.

England's Anthony Wall and Frenchman Christian Cevear are next best on three under par.

"I'm shattered. It's been a long two days and I just want to get back to my hotel and put my feet up," Campbell said.

"There is going to be a two-tee start in the morning, so that means we won't get much of break but I am happy about my position in the tournament. My putting has not been that good but my driving of the ball has been sensational."

Campbell said he was just chipping away "as I did last week at (the British Masters) The Belfry.

"I am looking forward to the next two days as I've won this event before and it would be nice now to win for a second occasion in three years."

- NZPA