Young gun Phoenix Campbell has risen to the occasion, produced a stunning back-nine charge to claim a one-shot victory at the Ford NSW Open Regional Qualifying Tournament here at Lismore Workers Golf Club.

The rising star, who travelled north specifically to gain tournament experience in challenging conditions, delivered when it mattered most, birdieing on the 10th, 13th, 14th, and 15th to surge away from local favourite Sam Brazel and a fast-charging Doug Klein to secure his first Ford NSW Open Qualifying Series title.

The final round was a tale of two nines, which began with overnight leader Sam Brazel squandering his overnight advantage with a costly double bogey on the second. An error that opened up the tournament to several challengers, including the young Victorian.

However, it was on the homeward nine where Campbell pounced. The two-time Australasian Tour winner admitted that they nerves had returned, just like they had during his back-to-back tour wins.

Related LINKS: FINAL SCORES – Ford NSW Open RQ- Lismore

“Really good, really good. It was great practice for me out there. I felt nervous, like I did at Queensland at Nudgee (*for the Queensland PGA), and that’s exactly what I came up here for,” Campbell said after his victory.

The pressure intensified down the stretch as hometown hero Sam Brazel, who had led after the opening round, mounted a withering fightback in the fading afternoon light. The local hero had a golden opportunity to force a playoff, but agonisingly missed his birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have sent the tournament into extra holes.

“I got a bit tired at the end there, obviously Sam holed some good putts and made me really work for it, but I’m excited to come out on top today,” Campbell reflected on the nail-biting finish.

Adding to the competitive field was Doug Klein, who stormed home with a spectacular six-under-par round of 60 on the weather-modified course to finish tied for second at six-under alongside Brazel, just one shot behind the eventual champion.

Campbell admitted the challenging course conditions were a key factor in the tournament’s outcome, but thankfully, he kept his nerve and played to his strengths.

“It’s quite hard to read lies around here. Yesterday was really tough with the wind, really tough to readwhere it was coming from. The wind below (the treeline) was going a different direction to up top. So it made club choice really difficult today.”

The victory serves as perfect preparation for Campbell’s upcoming Season, which will be his second start in the Australian Golf Premier State Open Championship, the Ford NSW Open.

“Yeah, I’m really excited to be in the field again. Obviously, I’ve got a bit more experience behind me now, and I think it’s going to be a great week in the Hunter.”

“I’ve heard The Vintage is a really good course, so yeah, really excited to be in the field and competing,” Campbell said.

NSW Open Qualifiers– Trio Lock Away Spots in Style

When the hostilities ended on course, it was Doug Klein, Caleb Bovalina, and Dean Jamieson who had secured the all-important Spots in the Ford NSW Open this November.

Queenslander Klein (six under total ) stormed home with a sizzling six under par 66 to share second place alongside Brazel and book his place in the field for November, while Bovalina (-3) and Jamieson (-2) snared the other spots on offer.

“It felt good. My game felt pretty solid yesterday, so I thought if I could get the putter firing a little bit more, I had a good chance of winning it. But yeah, the next best thing – tied for second and qualifying for the New South Wales Open is not a bad reward,” Klein grinned.

For both Bovalina and Jamieson, it will be a first appearance in the revered Open Championship.

“It feels great, ” Bovalina said. “I’ve never qualified for the NSW Open before, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jamieson, meanwhile, said the qualification was probably the biggest thing that had happened in his six-year pro golf career.

“It should be a great test and a lot of fun. It will be only the second tour event I’ve played, so Iim looking forward to it.” Jamieson grinned.