Golf story by Georgina Scane, Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:20:00 GMT


PALM DESERT, California - Chad Campbell shot his way to a brilliant win in the Bob Hope Classic late on Sunday with a score of 1-under-par 71. Campbell overcame a stiff challenge from Scott Verplank and Jesper Parnevik.

Campbell led the pack going into the final day and a stunning recovery from a fairway bunker at par-four 13th ensured that he preserved this lead till the end. "That was such a crucial hole, to be able to hit that shot," Campbell admitted after the win.

"That was a very difficult shot out of that bunker. I couldn't see anything. I could see the top of this huge green tower, and that was about 30 yards left of where I needed to aim, and that was it."

He added that he was very upset about the situation and just wanted to hit it upslope. That particular shot saved his day, he acknowledged. The 31-year-old American was tested to the limit as he tied three times with Verplank. But got out of jail with a brilliant display.

"If I played any good I would have had a tremendous chance," Verplank admitted after the match. "I need to get that figured out I guess. I've had that a couple of times here in the last year or two."

Campbell said that given his showing, he was surprised to have emerged on top of the pack, "I'm a little surprised to be able to win shooting one under on Sunday because it doesn't happen too often. I figured if I shot four under it would be tough for anyone to catch me," he said.

He added that it was patience that won the day for him after a long, hard week, "Honestly, I'm glad it's over. It wasn't the prettiest day out there for me today, but I grinded it out," he observed.

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