Campbell left to wait longer for JGTO breakthrough

Three dropped shots over the last five holes put paid to Ben Campbell's hopes of securing his maiden JGTO title at the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup on Sunday.

The 29-year-old New Zealander could only muster a two-over-par 72 to settle for tied eight on five-under-par 275 total at the Oarai Golf Club.

While that result marked Campbell's best outing yet in Japan, he knew he could have done better.

Starting the day as one of the four joint-leaders, Campbell held steady from the get-go as he reeled off 12 straight pars before making his first gain at the 13th to get to eight-under overall for a real shot at victory.

However, just when it mattered most, Campbell was left rueing a costly three-putt at the 14th and dropped two further strokes by double bogeying the 17th.

“I’m very frustrated with the finish. I lost the ball on 17. I thought it was on the fairway, but it actually went left," lamented Campbell.

"Had a good chance after making birdie on 13 but three-putted 14, and that really killed me. 

"I only had about 10 feet there for birdie. To three-putt that really hurts. 

"It was a week that could have been, unfortunately. 

"But overall, still a positive week. I thought I was feeling rusty coming into this week, which showed a little bit today."

Thailand's Itthiphat Buranatanyarat posted his best round of the week of 66 to tie for 11th spot, followed by Steve Lewton, who also saved this best for last with a 65 for joint 13th on 277.

The other non-Japanese top performers in the top 20 included India's Ajeetesh Sandhu of India (278) in lone 17th and the quartet of Australian Todd Sinnott, Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand and American Berry Henson sharing 18^th place on 279.