Ben Campbell is still in the hunt for The International Series Rankings title and that coveted spot on the 2025 LIV Golf League with just one round of the season left to play.
After carding a seven-under round of 64 to sit three behind current rankings leader Peter Uihlein, and four off Joaquin Niemann, the New Zealander admitted he would have to “go out and win this” at the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers at Riyadh Golf Club.
Uihlein carded a five-under 66 to finish in T2 on -16, one behind Niemann who carded a six-under 65, and alongside Caleb Surratt after the young American shot a sensational 10 under 61 with eight birdies and an eagle.
Campbell needs to finish top of the rankings to secure a place on LIV Golf next season, and going into the final round of a long campaign he has his sights firmly on the current leader, RangeGoats GC star Uihlein, with second-placed John Catlin needing a miracle back on six under after a disappointing 70.
Campbell said: “Peter's (Peter Uihlein) a great player, so you know I have got to really try to go out and win this. Not much is going to change. You have just got to hit the greens, fairways to greens, and try to hole a few putts. It is hopefully going to be a good round tomorrow.
“It is always in your mind (The International Series Rankings). You show up tomorrow, and either it is going to be good or it is not. You prepare as well as you can and you try your hardest, and if it is good enough, it is good enough.”
Campbell recorded a win at International Series Morocco earlier this year and has since then recorded three top 10 finishes. He also has the experience of playing as an alternate on the LIV Golf League all season.
He said: “It has been a great year. I have taken away a lot from the year. I have learnt a lot. It has given me a lot of confidence this year, spending time around LIV Golf, being around some of those players. I picked up on a couple of little things.
“I think especially the last two or three years it has been trending the right way. I found a swing that my body seems to like a little bit more and I have been playing some really consistent golf. It is nice when you are feeling like you are there or thereabouts.”
M.J. Maguire, ranked sixth in the rankings, is on a nine-under-par total after a steady two-under-par round. He will need to deliver a standout performance tomorrow to climb both the leaderboard and the rankings.
Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po in fifth is another shot further back on eight under, and Canadian Richard T Lee in fourth is on five under.
All will have another chance to win a LIV Golf golden ticket at the LIV Golf Promotions event which takes place next week at the same venue from 12-14 December.
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
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