Golf: Kiwis not teeing off for country

By Graham Skellern

New Zealand's challenge in the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews, Scotland, early next month looks certain to be weakened by the unavailability of the American-based golfers.

Former finalists New Zealand have traditionally done well in this premier teams event. But this time around Frank Nobilo, Grant Waite and Philip Tataurangi are expected to decline an invitation to represent their country as they continue their battle to survive on the USPGA Tour.

It would leave New Zealand's No 1 Greg Turner playing with two other European-based golfers, the rejuvenated Michael Campbell and Michael Long, who has slipped to being the sixth-highest ranked Kiwi after gaining selection last year as the third highest.

On present world rankings New Zealand's team would be Turner (60th), Nobilo (184th) and Campbell (185th) - a sound side with plenty of experience in playing the subtle St Andrews course.

Tataurangi, regaining his best form, is next on the list with a world ranking of 196th. Waite has been the most consistent Kiwi on the US tour this year, but at 134th on the moneylist he is just outside the top-125 cut and - like Nobilo and Tataurangi - needs to concentrate on the remaining eight tour events to secure his playing card for next season.

The three American-based golfers are playing the Canadian Open in Toronto, with the first round tomorrow morning (NZ time).

After finishing tied for fourth in the Air Canada Championship near Vancouver on Monday morning, Tataurangi said: "I'd like to play the Dunhill, if selected and available.

"But to be honest I haven't given it any consideration. It has not been the main part of my focus and I'll just deal with it [selection] at the time, if it happens."

Tataurangi said it "would be fantastic" to team up with Campbell again (they were together in the New Zealand men's amateur side that won the Eisenhower Trophy in 1992). But maybe not this year.

Tataurangi is ranked 161st on the US tour and needs to take every opportunity going in the remainder of the season to escape the qualifying school. Likewise, Nobilo has some work to do to move into the top 125 from a present 150th.

A struggling Long - who may get the third Dunhill Cup spot by default - also has to scramble on the European PGA Tour to retain his playing card. He is 123rd on the order of merit, just below the cut of 115. Turner is 29th on the money list and Campbell 47th.

Stephen Scahill may come into Dunhill Cup contention. He has been producing consistent form to sit comfortably in the top 10 of the European Challenger Tour - and looks assured of collecting his card for the main tour and bigger money next year.