Golf: NZ flavour missing from Masters

Barring withdrawals, New Zealand will be without a golfer at April's Masters tournament at Augusta for the first time in five years.

At least two New Zealanders have been involved at the famous Major tournament since 2001 but none have qualified this year for the 96-strong field, nor received an invitation from the Augusta National Golf Club.

Michael Campbell and Craig Perks have attended the last three Masters, while Phil Tataurangi was there in 2003. Campbell and Grant Waite teed off in 2001.

No New Zealanders were there in 1999 and 2000 while Frank Nobilo was the sole entrant the previous two years.

Campbell's world ranking has dropped outside the qualifying criteria while Perks' exemption for winning The Players Championship in 2002 has run out.

- NZPA