Chad Campbell wins over Johnson Wagner in Viking Classic

Chad Campbell won with a one-stroke victory over Johnson Wagner in the Viking Classic.

Photo: Chad Campbell wins over Johnson Wagner in Viking Classic

Campbell was among six golfers who held or were tied for the lead Sunday at Annandale Golf Club. He finished with a 3-under-par 69 - the only member of that group under 70 - to win after trailing two-day leader David Branshaw by three strokes entering the final round. Branshaw was done in by a double bogey.

Wagner, a PGA Tour rookie seeking his first win, briefly held the lead but dropped out of contention when he made bogey on the 17th hole. He birdied 18 to take second alone at 12 under, however, and his $378,000 paycheck should earn him his tour card next season.

Campbell, now a four-time tour winner, earned $630,000 of the $3.5 million purse.

Branshaw finished third after a 2-over 74 in a tie at 11 under with Boo Weekley, who shot 70. It was the best finish on tour for Branshaw, who had three bogeys Sunday after making just one through the first 54 holes. Sunday marked the first time he held the lead entering the final round of the tournament.

The tournament wasn't decided until the final two holes. Shaun Micheel trailed Campbell by a stroke at 12 under, but a double bogey on 17 dropped him into a tie for fifth with Bill Haas and John Senden at 10 under.

Three others tied for eighth at 9 under.

Haas, who was in second after three rounds, also had his run at the championship end on a double bogey. He put his drive in the rough on the par-4 No. 13, then hit his next two shots 50 and 60 yards, never leaving the tall grass.

Campbell said after shooting a third-round 64 that he's been working hard to get his game back in shape late this season after a wobbly start that left him 82nd on the money list coming into the Viking Classic.

He had just one top 10 finish, at the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play Championship where he was fourth, and four top 25 finishes. The win jumps him over the $1.5 million mark this year, but he's still short of his goal.

The Colleyville, Texas, resident would like to finish in the top 30 as he has in each of his previous four seasons on tour, but needs more than $400,000 in his final two tournaments to reach that goal.

Campbell first took the lead Sunday with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11. He made a 22-foot putt on the par-4 10th, then hit to within 3 feet on the par-5 11th to move to 13 under. He briefly reached 14 under on the 17th hole, but bogeyed 18.

The win was his first top 50 finish since the Travelers Championship on June 24. It was his 15th top three finish since joining the tour.