Practical too tough for Campbell

Irish Open: Most sportsmen covet an opportunity to test themselves against the best, a rite of passage both exhilarating and stomach-churning. Mark Campbell was afforded just such a chance this week at Co Louth Golf Club.

On the basis of his victory in the East of Ireland Championship over the celebrated links, the Baltray club gave the Irish amateur his entrée into the event and this morning the 24-year-old psychology student at UCD, who is writing a thesis on the art of green reading, returns to amateur colours invigorated by his experiences.

Campbell heads for the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch where he will tee it up tomorrow morning with a better appreciation of the gulf between amateur and professional golf. He missed the cut at the Irish Open by 11 strokes, acknowledging that nerves and indecision undermined his ambition.

This wasn't some naïve amateur with pipe dreams but a golfer who had shot a course record 67 over the same Baltray links in the East. "It's a great learning experience. You have to go through events like this. It's great to play with the lads, see the shots they are hitting and see how they make a score. I have learnt a lot.

"I was quite nervous on Thursday. I felt perfectly at home on the range and during the practice rounds. On the first tee it just kind of hits you a little bit; you try and muck one up the fairway."

After nine holes of his opening round, Campbell was motoring nicely just one over regulation figures but during his journey home he hit free-fall to finish on 80. "I wasn't very decisive, wasn't hitting the shots."

Observing one of his playing partners, Gary Evans, during his second-round 66, Campbell was able to recognise some of his own shortcomings.

Those differences? "Temperament, attitude and confidence. They take a shot on and they're very, very committed, they trust their shots. They know they have them in the locker. They commit and hit.

"It had been said to me their wedge play is really good but I'm quite good with the wedge myself so I didn't really notice much difference. Gary Evans is a great putter. He didn't let too many by. I played well today but took a very stupid seven on the third when going for the green in two from way back. I overestimated my powers there, wound up in some heavy rough. If I had the blade going at all I would have shot a couple under today, easy."

Campbell eschewed a rigid strategy. "It wasn't a set game plan for every hole but there were certain holes on which you need to be careful. Doubt just creeps in and you hike one left, then bogey and you become a bit negative. It wasn't about being more aggressive but definitely a bit more decisive on Thursday.

"I should have taken shots on. I would have (in the East). There would definitely have been a bit more confidence or cockiness in the East. That's just a product of your environment this week. It's all new."

Campbell's trip to Lahinch will be followed next Thursday by a flight to Thailand where he will compete alongside Darren Crowe, Mark O'Sullivan and Conor Doran in the World Universities Championship. Past winners include Graeme McDowell and Justin Kehoe. Interpros and Sweden follow.

The Stackstown golfer has been tantalised by his experiences, coyly suggesting he'd consider a trip to the Tour school. He has a better appreciation of his place in the golfing firmament after this week's exposure to the elite.