Pair keen to avenge Cup snub

Trevor Immelman and Michael Campbell were determined to prove a point in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland today.

The duo went into the third round on eight under par and just two shots off the lead held by defending champion Robert Karlsson in the first event in the Ryder Cup qualifying race.

But for once the agenda was being dominated by the Presidents Cup instead, the Ryder Cup style contest between the United States and the rest of the world which takes place in South Africa in November.

World number two Ernie Els, who shares third place with Immelman and Campbell a shot behind former champion Eduardo Romero, qualified comfortably for the rest of the world side, but both Campbell and Immelman are still smarting at being overlooked as wild cards by captain Gary Player.

Player opted for another South African, Tim Clark, and South Korea’s KJ Choi instead, Clark’s fourth place in the USPGA Championship no doubt having a major influence with the decision made just hours later.

“I definitely feel as if I have a point to prove, but more to myself than Gary,” said Immelman, who finished 15th in the qualifying table, two behind Campbell and one ahead of Clark. Choi was 11th.

“Cambo and I were right in there for the wild cards and I think we can feel disappointed, but we should have played ourselves into the team.

“We shouldn’t blame Gary for the decisions he made but we’ll have to wait and see if he made the right decisions.

“It was one of my biggest goals for the year to make the team, especially as it’s taking place at Fancourt which is just two-and-a-half hours drive from where I live.

“That was a bitter pill to swallow and I was really pleased to have a top-10 finish the week after in the NEC Invitational.”

Campbell, winner of the Irish Open earlier this year, added: “It’s part of my motivation to try and win every tournament between now and the Presidents Cup to prove a point, not only to Gary but myself as well.”

Karlsson led from the first round last year on his way to a four-shot victory, and has now not been headed for six rounds here.

“I’d be very happy to lose the lead today and get it back on Sunday,” the 6ft 5in Swede said. “It seems I get into a pretty good flow on this course and if you get it going you can pretty much birdie every hole.”