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Campbell digs deep to win Hope Classic

Bob Hope Classic: A brilliant recovery from a fairway bunker at the par-four 13th spurred American Chad Campbell on to a three…

Mon Jan 23 2006 - 00:00

Bob Hope Classic: A brilliant recovery from a fairway bunker at the par-four 13th spurred American Chad Campbell on to a three-shot victory at the Bob Hope Classic last night.

The 31-year-old had already pulled his drive into water at the 399-yard hole and he then found the sand with his second attempt off the tee. Despite not being able to see the green from where he stood, he struck a six-iron from 143 yards into the wind to within eight feet of the flag and made the putt to avoid a double-bogey six.

"That was such a crucial hole, to be able to hit that shot," Campbell said after sealing his third PGA Tour title with a one-under-par 71 in the fifth and final round at a blustery Classic Club.

"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.

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"I really wasn't thinking anything. I was a little upset right then," added Campbell, who had run up a double-bogey six at the 10th after finding water with his approach. "I just wanted to hit it solid but you are on the upslope and the wind is coming right at you. I was pretty happy with that shot. That is what saved the whole day."

Boosted by his bunker escape, Campbell sank a 20-foot birdie putt at the next hole to restore his two-stroke lead over playing partner and compatriot Scott Verplank. He then picked up another shot at the par-four 15th before sealing his first victory since the 2004 Bay Hill Invitational and moving into top spot in the 2006 PGA Tour money list with earnings of $1,348,800.

"I was trying to stay patient all day, but it's hard not to get ahead of yourself a little bit and get frustrated," said Campbell, who began the final round one ahead of the chasing pack.

"It's been a long, hard week. After the second round I had the lead, and that's a long time to have the lead and to have to think about it. Honestly, I'm glad it's over. It wasn't the prettiest day out there for me today, but I grinded it out."

Campbell is now up from 31st to fourth in the American Ryder Cup race after finishing second and first in his opening two events of the season. In the end Campbell beat compatriot Verplank and Swede Jesper Parnevik who shared second.