Golf: Brooky aiming for top 10 tour finish

LONDON - Leading New Zealand golfer Lynnette Brooky aims to finish in the top 10 on the European women's golf tour this season.

Brooky, ranked 18th last year, said yesterday that she had overcome a painful long-term injury and was hoping for bigger things this year.

Her first European appearance of the season will be in Florence next week for the Italian Open.

"I found some weeks ago my shoulder has been dislocated for years. Because of that, my wrist went last year and before that I had a lot of back pain and pain everywhere," Brooky said.

She said that after numerous visits to specialists, Lower Hutt osteopath Val Todd discovered the dislocated shoulder.

"She put it back in, worked on me, and my shoulder feels in perfect condition for the first time in ages.

"I had a game near London yesterday and I was hitting seven irons where I used to hit six irons."

Brooky, aged 31, said she had never felt stronger.

"I want to finish in the top 10 this year. That's my goal. If I don't then I would feel I'm not having a good year.

"I am working hard on my game. On a good day I don't expect to have to average more than 29 putts. I want to hit the fairways straight, missing no more than three a round at the most."

Brooky is also planning to enter the $2.3 million (750,000) British Open at Royal Birkdale from August 17 to 20.

- NZPA