THE MASTERS: Putter lets Campbell down at end

Augusta —- In truth, Chad Campbell didn’t even expect to be in a playoff.

“You know,” the laid-back Texan said, “I thought I was going to be one shot out of it. But I snuck in there. I just didn’t do too well on the [playoff] hole.”

Not too bad, actually.

After a final-round 69, Campbell joined good friend Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera at No. 18 for the first three-way Masters playoff in 22 years.

And considering his exploits on No. 18 this week, that was a very good thing.

“I was pretty excited actually because I haven’t hit that fairway all week,” Campbell said.

But Campbell pushed his 7-iron approach right into a greenside bunker. He blasted out 6 feet past the hole and grazed the bottom side of the cup with his putt for a playoff-exiting bogey.

“I played really well all week,” Campbell said. “The last two or three days I didn’t really putt very well. I’ve just got to make a few more putts. Hopefully I’ll be back in that situation and can do it.”

The initial depression aside, Campbell has proven to be a force to contend with in major championships. He finished third in the Masters in 2006 and was runner-up in the 2003 PGA Championship when he was beaten on the 72nd hole.

“I’m probably a little more disappointed this time because I hit a lot of good shots [at the PGA Championship],” said Campbell, who also won the Tour Championship in 2003. “I hit a good shot in there at 18 and got beat by a better shot. Today, I kind of blew it myself. I hit bad shots.”

Campbell started the day at 9-under par and was still there after bogeying No. 11. But then he put together a long-awaited charge with birdies at 12, 13 and 15. That catapulted him into a brief tie for the lead with Perry at 12 under.

Perry would build a two-shot cushion with birdies at 15 and 16 as Campbell parred his way in. That exaggerated thoughts of missed chances gone by.

“You know, I missed a lot of opportunities out there,” Campbell said. “But I’ll take a lot of positives away from it. Obviously I’m a little upset about it right now. But, you know, in the end I’ll feel good about it.”