Golf: Big money slips away on greens

Only a wayward putter prevented New Zealand golfer David Smail from challenging the leaders when the US$600,000 ($918,554) New Zealand PGA Championship finished at Clearwater Resort yesterday.

A closing round of four-under 68 lifted Smail from his overnight position of 30th equal to a share of 10th place on four-under 284, five strokes behind the winner, Jim Rutledge of Canada.

He was content with the state of his game but disconcerted with his efforts on the greens. He completed the four rounds needing an average of 31.5 putts.

Smail totally lost his radar in the third round on Saturday when his two-over 74 contained 36 putts. He required four three-putts as he battled for control.

"I just don't tend to putt well here," Smail said. "There seem to be subtle breaks on the greens that I just can't read."

Smail, 35, was otherwise happy with his performance, saying he would have taken a top-15 finish had it been offered to him before the opening round on Thursday morning.

After chipping in for birdie at the 17th, Smail walked to the 18th tee thinking if he could birdie the last it would feasibly leave him with an outside chance, providing the leaders drifted back on the difficult back nine.

He didn't - and they didn't.

His tee shot came to rest in an uphill lie in a fairway bunker, his approach fell short of the green and he could not get up and down to save par. It was the third time he had bogeyed the hole in four days.

Smail has a break of five weeks before heading back to Japan, where he has made the bulk of his estimated career earnings of $6.5 million.

He again plans a schedule of 21 tournaments in Japan this year and harbours hopes of competing in the British Open and US Open in 2006.

Two of Smail's career titles came in Japan last year despite a collapsed disc, which was diagnosed in June. He has opted against surgery, preferring to manage the problem as best he can.

"I've been doing a lot of gym work to strengthen the muscles around it, and it seems to be paying off. It is manageable," he said.

The next best New Zealander behind Smail was Michael Long, who was 21st equal on 286 after shooting 72 yesterday. Steve Alker scored 72 and Mahal Pearce 73 to share 28th place on 287, while Phil Tataurangi and Gareth Paddison tied for 49th after closing rounds of 73 and 76, respectively, left them on 291.

- NZPA