Golf: Campbell looks to keep momentum in Middle East

Michael Campbell is hoping to improve his fourth-round performances as he continues his promising start to the European Tour season. Photo / AP

Michael Campbell is hoping to improve his fourth-round performances as he continues his promising start to the European Tour season when he plays in the Dubai Desert Classic tonight.

The 43-year-old is not about to let last weekend's Qatar Masters final round hiccup spoil his drive towards a first victory in almost eight years.

Campbell remained in contention until the final round at the Doha Golf Club before carding a two-over par 74 to claim a share of 16th place on 10-under par.

"Naturally, it was a disappointing way to end the tournament especially after three straight rounds of 68," he told his website Cambo.golf.com.

"It just seems recently that the fourth and final round of a tournament hasn't been all that kind to me and that was the scenario last Saturday. But despite that final day I took a lot of positives away from the week."

While Campbell didn't get the win he was looking for he moved up six spots to 45th on the Race to Dubai standings.

This week marks Campbell's 11th appearance in the third leg of the Tour's Middle East Swing.

He first teed up in Dubai in 1995 where he shot his best score on the Emirates Course of 65 on day three before finishing in a share of third place.

Both remain his best score and best result in the Middle East.

"The course is just fantastic and in all the years I've been coming to Dubai this is the best condition I've seen the Emirates course," he said.

"It's going to make for a good test of golf and it should be a fun week.

"Also after the way I have been playing golf's now really enjoyable and I'm excited to get going and that's something I've only been able to say in the last few months.

"I've played here for many years so the main goal is just to keep the momentum going and hopefully it will lead to success."

The former US Open champion tees off in the tournament, which begins tonight (NZT), alongside in-form Portuguese player Ricardo Santos and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen.

The trio tee off at 8.15am local time.