Golf: Iles leads fightback for NZ

Brad Iles was in winning form in his latest match for NZ in Japan. Herald file picture

New Zealand's top order have fought back to grab a share of the spoils with Canada on the second day of the Four Nations team golf championship in Japan.

They finished in a 4-1/2, 4-1/2 tie with Canada after the New Zealanders could only manage one half from the three morning foursomes at the Nikko Country Club.

Tauranga's Brad Iles led the comeback with a brilliant 7 and 6 victory over Canada's Craig Doell at the top of the order for the New Zealand to ensure a much-needed share of the spoils.

Australia were pushed all the way to sneak home 5-4 over Japan in the other second round match and hold a two point lead over the hosts with one round remaining.

Canada are one point ahead of New Zealand in third place.

The Four Nations teams championship is a biennial event established in 1987 between the four countries decided on a round-robin matchplay competition.

Australia have dominated the competition, winning seven of the previous nine titles.

New Zealand, who lost the first round to Australia, fell further behind against Canada when Doug Holloway and Kevin Chun both lost their afternoon singles.

The top four New Zealand players turned things around with Tauranga's Josh Geary leading the fight back when he edged James Allenby 1-up, while Hamilton's Mark Purser beat Mike Mezei 4 and 3.

Te Aroha's Mathew Holten accounted for Graham Delaet and Iles completed the scoring with his emphatic win.

New Zealand take on Japan in the final round.

* Results (New Zealand names first):

New Zealand 4 1/2 Canada 4 1/2.

Foursomes: Doug Holloway and Mark Purser lost to Graham Delaet and Kevin Simard 1 down, Josh Geary and Kevin Chun halved with Mike Mezei and Barrett Jarosh, Brad Iles and Mathew Holten lost to Craig Doell and James Allenby 1-down.

Singles: Holloway lost to Simard 1-down, Chun lost to Jarosch 3 and 2, Geary bt Allenby 1-up, Purser bt Mezei 4 and 3, Holten bt Delaet 2 and 1, Iles bt Doell 7 and 6.

Points after two rounds: Australia 13, Japan 11, Canada 6.5, New Zealand 5.5.

- NZPA