Despite not bringing his ‘A-game’, Queenstown pro golfer Ben Campbell says his recent experience at the British Open was ‘‘amazing’’.
At St Andrews, Campbell hit a first round of 74, which meant he needed to score well under par to qualify for the final two rounds for the 150th final.
While he got off to a hiss and a roar, playing out the front nine in 34, it came undone.
He was one shot over the projected even par cut line going into the final hole, needing a birdie on the 18th, but missed it.
‘‘The course was playing so hard and fast, and the slopes around the greens are a lot bigger than they appear on the TV,’’ Campbell says.
‘‘They really tucked some flags on the greens, and you needed to have your iron play on song.’’
Despite the disappointment of missing the cut by one shot, he says he’s taken a lot away from the week, and relished the moment.
‘‘St Andrews has always been one of my favourite places in the world, so to play my first major there and have all the support from family, friends and sponsors was a real treat.’’
Campbell’s had a quick pitstop in Queenstown, but leaves again this coming Monday to play the Indonesia-Singapore-Korea swing on the Asian Tour.
