Campbell closing in on place among elite

MICHAEL CAMPBELL'S target of a top ten world ranking by the end of the year could be achieved within the next two weeks if the 33-year-old New Zealander can shine in his next two events.

Campbell, who climbed 13 places to number 16 in the world rankings with his one-shot victory in the European Open at the K Club on Sunday, is playing in this week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and in the British Open that follows.

Generous world ranking points are on offer at both tournaments and, if Campbell can maintain the form he produced for 68 holes in Ireland last week, that top ten target could be realised.

"Winning again 18 months after my last win in the Heineken Classic is huge for my confidence for the next two weeks but there is still room for improvement," the New Zealander said after a closing 73 earned him his fifth European Tour title.

"I want to improve by at least another 20% or 30% iron out a few creases or faults, and play even better these next two weeks."

Campbell, who triumphed in Ireland despite bogeying his last four holes, insisted his faltering finish was the result of a lack in concentration. He said he had lost focus over the final four holes when his thoughts prematurely turned towards his winner's speech.

"I wasn't nervous all day actually," he said. "I was quite calm, very calm surprisingly, because I hadn't led a tournament for a long time going into the final round.

"I was in the zone for 14 holes and playing great and then all of a sudden things started turning on me. You have to be a perfectionist and the way I played the last four holes disgusted me. But I will learn from it and become a better player for it."

Campbell will not have to wait until next week's British Open at Muirfield, the third of the year's four major championships, before testing his game against some of the world's top players.

Ernie Els and Jose Maria Olazabal return to the European Tour this week to play in the Scottish Open, along with a strong American contingent including 1997 winner Tom Lehman, Brad Faxon, Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

The battle for the 2002 European order of merit title is also bound to heighten over the next two weeks, with Campbell now in contention after climbing to fourth place following his first prize of $500,000 in Ireland.

South African Retief Goosen, who tied for second at the K Club behind Campbell, will be trying to fend off seven-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and Els, who are ranked second and third on the European money list.