New Zealand’s Ben Campbell leads in Taiwan
Ben Campbell – photo Nick Cheng / Mercurie Taiwan Masters
Ben Campbell moved into the second-round lead at US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters today on four-under after carding a three-under-par 69 – to be the only player to shoot two sub-par rounds.
American Jarin Todd (69) and Dodge Kemmer (72) and India’s Chikkarangappa S. (72) are one back at Taiwan Golf and Country Club, which once again posed a huge challenge, with the rough up and the fairways very tight – US Open style.
Scotland’s David Drysdale and Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand, also carded 72s, and are a further shot back – in what is the most lucrative golf tournament in Chinese-Taipei.
Campbell traded five birdies with two bogeys, and goes into the weekend looking for his first win on the Asian Tour.
“Played good at the start, dropped a couple in the middle, they were soft bogeys, unfortunately, which is easy to do out here,” said the New Zealander, who shone at this year’s New Zealand Open, finishing in a tie for second place.
“I hit it close on a few and played the par fives well, which makes it easier. I kept the ball in play nicely off the tee. It was really windy at the start but the last few holes it died a bit which was a big help for me. It is playing firm and fast and coming out of the rough it is hard to hold the greens.
“My game is obviously improving but there is still a way to go. I feel like the last few weeks have been getting better and better. Feel like my game is trending in right direction.”
Campbell has been runner-up on several occasions during his career but his only win on a recognised tour was when winning the New Zealand PGA Championship in 2018, a PGA Tour of Australasia event.
Todd Sinnott is the next best of the Australasians in a share of 12th place and four shots from Campbell’s lead, followed another shot back by last week’s runner-up in Taiwan, Travis Smyth.
