Golf: Lee records best finish on Japan tour

Richard Lee. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Kiwi professional Richard Lee has recorded his best finish on the Japan golf tour in the past two years when he placed tied 26th at the Token Homemate Cup after a three over par 74 in the final round.

The North Harbour player, who is back on the Japan tour after earning his card in qualifying last year, will be disappointed with his final round that saw him drop 20 places but it is a better opening to 2012 than anything he managed in 2011.

The 38-year-old made only five cuts from 13 events last year with his best performance a tie for 30th at the Toshin Golf Tournament in Lake Wood.

Lee had rounds of 68, 67, 72 and 74 to earn $15,000 and will be a in a good position for a full card as the tour re-ranks after the opening events.

David Smail, a five-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, shot an even par 71 in round four to finish tied 61st.

Meantime on the European tour, Michael Campbell, after making his first cut for 2012 at the Malaysian Masters, fell away in the final round to finish tied for 63rd.

The 2005 US Open champion had 72, 71, 71 and a 78 in the final round to drop 22 places on Sunday.

Louis Oosthuizen, who played superbly after losing in a playoff at the Masters to Bubba Watson, won the event by three shots from Scotland Stephen Gallacher.

But there were some encouraging signs from Campbell with two sub-par rounds. He has had a poor start to 2012 missing the weekend in his first six events. He earned $9000 for his efforts in Kuala Lumpur.