Golf: NZ out to restore Eisenhower reputations

New Zealand are aiming for a confidence-boosting finish to the Trophy world amateur men's teams golf championship in Berlin, after clawing their way yesterday into the top 10.

With today's final round to play, New Zealand are ninth, 19 strokes behind runaway leaders the United States, but only six away from fifth place.

A top-10 finish would restore New Zealand's reputation at the elite tournament, which they won in 1992, and reveal a 21st placing last time out in Chile as a one-off horror.

"Our main goal is to get some credibility back into New Zealand golf, in our international status and our own belief," said coach Mal Tongue.

"If we finish anywhere in the top 10 it's a really good finish. If we finish in the top five it would be sensational. There's an awful lot of great teams here."

New Zealand shot a four-under 212 yesterday to climb from 12th to ninth.

Reon Sayer and Gareth Paddison again showed the way.

Paddison had a three-under 69, including sinking a 50ft putt for an eagle on the par-five 15th, after opening his round with two bogeys.

Sayer was two under after five holes, dropped to one over after seven, then fired three birdies on the trot late in his round for a solid 70.

Richard Best had a 73, with Carl Brooking's 75 not counting to the team tally.

Sayer and Paddison are seventh equal on the individual standings, with three-round totals of 213, three under par.

New Zealand, the United States, Canada and hosts Germany are the only nations with two players among the top 10 individuals.

The United States were in stunning touch yesterday with an 11-under 205, extending their lead to seven strokes over Germany, who have 635.

Britain and Ireland lie third on 637, Australia are fourth on 638, then come Denmark and Canada (641), Sweden (642), Finland (646) and New Zealand (647).

Briton Paul Casey is the individual leader on 203, two shots ahead of American Bryce Molder.

- NZPA