New Zealand’s Ben Campbell scored a narrow one-shot victory over Australia’s Cameron Smith at the Asian Tour’s Hong Kong Open. Campbell produced birdies at his final two holes at Hong Kong Golf Club to overcome the major winner and claim the biggest title of his career. The former world No. 6 amateur won the 2018 NZ PGA Championship and finished joint runner-up at the New Zealand Open in March this year on his home course at Millbrook Resort.
Campbell, who began the final round one-shot behind Smith and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, got busy early in his round on Sunday with back-to-back birdies at the 3rd and 4th holes. A blemish at the par 4, 6th hole threatened to derail his hopes for the breakthrough win. However, the determined Kiwi navigated his final 12 holes with three unanswered birdies. Campbell added his final round 4-under 66 to rounds of 66, 64 and 65 to reach 19-under.
Smith was searching for his maiden win in Asia. The LIV Golf star with three wins on that tour carded a final round 2-under 68. The 30-year-old ended his day with seven straight pars en route to earning solo second place at 18-under.
Khongwatmai and Canada’s Richard Lee took a share of third place at 17-under. Khongwatmai was looking for his second Asian Tour title after winning the 2021 Laguna Phuket Championship. The Thai gun shot a final round 1-under 69. Lee delivered the equal best final round score with a brilliant 6-under 64.
Australian Harrison Crowe finished in a tie for 8th place at 14-under. The 22-year-old from St Michael’s Golf Club, NSW, turned professional in September this year after a coveted amateur career that included winning the 2022 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Crowe signed for a final round 3-under 67.
Final Scores
Hong Kong Open
1. Ben Campbell -19
2. Cameron Smith -18
T3. Phachara Khongwatmai -17
T3. Richard Lee -17
5. Yubin Jang -16
T6. Miguel Carballo -15
T6. Sangmoon Bae -15
Other Australians (to make the cut)
T8. Harrison Crowe -14
T30. Douglas Klein -8
T42. Zach Murray -7
T42. Scott Hend -7
T42. Travis Smyth -7
T66. Jed Morgan -3
T69. Andrew Dodt -2
Photo credit: Jason Butler /Getty Images
