Golf: Fasth will not defend NZ Open title

VERSAILLES - Sweden's Niclas Fasth confirmed he will not defend his New Zealand Open title later this year.

Fasth birdied the second extra hole to defeat England's Miles Tunnicliff in a play-off for the title at Gulf Harbour in February 2005.

The win was the first of two victories last year with Fasth winning July's Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe in Hamburg and also in a play-off.

But Fasth indicated in Versailles where he is competing in the French Open, that he will not be returning for the reschedule November 30 start of the New Zealand Open.

"I am travelling out to play in Shanghai and Hong Kong in the weeks before the New Zealand event and if I did travel to Auckland it would mean about five weeks away from the family and I just don't want to do that," he said.

"Besides after a long season competing in Europe and the States, the event just comes at a wrong time of year for me.

"If it was back being played in February along with a European Tour event in Australia then it would not be a worry.

"Naturally, I am disappointed I'm not returning to New Zealand as I have such fond memories of the week at Gulf Harbour.

"It was my first win in five years and the victory was the start of a very good year for me as I also won in Germany to eventually finish 13th on the Order of Merit which was my second best season in 12 years on the Tour.

"So my apologies to the organisers as I wish them a successful tournament."

Despite a change in dates for the New Zealand Open, Michael Campbell, who is also competing in the French event, confirmed he will participate in the tournament.

- NZPA