Golf: NZ hope wind will blow them ahead of the French

Glen Campbell from Masterton. Photo / APN

New Zealand hope the winds continue to blow good fortune in today's final day of the weather-shortened Eisenhower Trophy world amateur men's team golf championship in Argentina.

After an unexpected day off yesterday while the organisers played catch-up, the New Zealand team of Ben Campbell, Ryan Fox and Peter Spearman-Burn will tee off today in fourth place on 286, seven shots behind leaders France.

The Eisenhower Trophy has been reduced to 54 holes after losing much of Saturday with weather disruptions, leaving half of the field to finish their second round yesterday.

After the reseeding, the bottom half of the 69-strong field began their third round at 4pm local time.

The title contenders, including New Zealand, begin the final round today from 10am local time at Buenos Aires Golf Club with weather conditions still challenging, something that team captain John Gatley hopes will continue.

"They are forecasting more winds and some rain tomorrow. It might suit us because if it's nice and benign, it will be very hard picking up seven shots," Gatley said.

"If it's windy and our boys can play well, we might be able to put some pressure on because it looks as though they seem to handle the wind better than most this week."

Gatley said the team was relaxed after learning about the unexpected day off. "The boys have handled the day off well. We had already figured that it was pretty well impossible for us to play today. We went to the club to get the information and then they spent some time practicing and are quite relaxed.

"If we can start well and get amongst it, then anything can happen. We won't want to do anything stupid because things can change pretty quickly in this format, especially if it does blow.

"Equally we have got nothing to lose. If it means that we can have a go to win it, then that's worth the risk. The object is to come over here to win it.

"There's not too many teams further back than us that have a chance."

Gatley said the team are looking forward to the final round.

"Peter is loving it. He is praying for more rain and wind so he can play Miramar conditions (his home club in Wellington).

"I think Ryan will lead us out tomorrow and we will give him a little bit of licence to be more free.

"And Ben of course has a chance to be the leading individual - he is playing extremely well. We really want all three to make a good start and take the pressure off just two having to score."

France regained their place at the top of the leaderboard after two completed rounds on seven-under 279, one shot ahead of Denmark.

The USA moved up to third on one-under par, one shot ahead of the Kiwis in fourth. Sweden are a shot further back in fifth ahead of Canada with England, Colombia and Italy sharing seventh place on two-over.

Masterton's Campbell, the world No 26, is joint second on the individual leaderboard on four-under 139 after 36 holes with Frenchman Romain Wattle, three shots behind Denmark's Joachim Hansen.

The field was redrawn after the second round with the bottom group playing their final round at Olivos Golf Club and the top half at Buenos Aires from 4pm (local time) with play to continue until dark and resume today.

New Zealand are paired with Sweden and Canada for their final round.

- NZPA