VIRGINIA WATER (England), Sept 18: Michael Campbell pocketed a cheque for one million pounds, the richest first prize in golf, after beating Irishman Paul McGinley 2 & 1 in Sunday’s 36-hole final of the World Match Play Championship.

The New Zealander became the fourth man to capture the Wentworth title and the US Open in the same season, following in the footsteps of South African Gary Player (1965), American Hale Irwin (1974) and South African Ernie Els (1994).

Consolation for runner-up McGinley in his first appearance at the World Match Play was a cheque for $723,200.

There was never more than one hole between the two men in a close-fought morning round played on a calm, overcast day in leafy Surrey.

The 36-year-old Kiwi was one up at halfway after registering a three-under-par 69 against McGinley’s 70.

Fourth seed Campbell appeared to open up a decisive advantage when he won two of the first three holes in the afternoon round.

He chipped in from off the green for a birdie three at the first.

McGinley, 38, without a tournament victory since the 2001 Celtic Manor Welsh Open, then made a hash of the third where he carded a double-bogey six.

The genial Irishman took four shots to reach the green and two-putted from three feet.

However, world number 36 McGinley, a gutsy, tenacious match play competitor, refused to go down without a fight.

He won the sixth and seventh with birdies before getting back to all square when Campbell bogeyed the ninth after taking four strokes to reach the putting surface.

GORE IN LEAD