Golf: NZ players undaunted by opposition

ST ANDREWS - New Zealand's three-man Alfred Dunhill Cup golf side are under no illusions about the stern test they face when the 16-nation teams competition starts tomorrow (NZ time) on the historic Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland.

New Zealand, who have competed in all but three Dunhills since the inaugural competition in 1985, are represented this year by Greg Turner, Michael Campbell and Michael Long.

Turner, with eight appearances, will captain the European Tour team.

New Zealand reached the final in 1996 but disappointed last year, losing out on a countback to Australia in the round-robin series.

New Zealand head into this year's competition as one of eight unseeded nations, meaning they will come up against two seeded nations in the three round-robin encounters.

Long, who made his Cup debut in 1997, believes that scenario could work to New Zealand's advantage.

"There will probably be more pressure on the seeded teams and I have no doubts as to our ability. We all know what we can achieve," he said.

Long has struggled this year on the European Tour despite winning the Greg Norman Holden International. The Perth-based player has earned paycheques in just eight of his 24 appearances, and missed the halfway cut in his last four starts.

"I'm always thrilled to pull on the New Zealand colours, especially after last year's performance, because I felt like I let the side down a little bit.

"It's been a funny year with a win here and there but there have been some pretty ordinary performances," he said.

"But if I was looking at the whole year, I think I'm probably in better shape for the upcoming Australasian summer than last year.

"I'm not overly concerned. I'm sticking to my goals and concentrating on getting my game. But it's always nice to get back to St Andrews and get another opportunity to play for New Zealand because there is something special about the event, the golf course and the town."

Campbell is making his second appearance in the New Zealand team at St Andrews. The first was in 1995, the same year he finished third on the same course in the British Open.

"It's been a long time since I've been back to St Andrews and I'm looking forward to playing the Old Course again," he said.

"The whole place holds fond memories for me, and to play in the New Zealand team, well, you don't get many opportunities to do that.

"And once you get on your national colours, you don't really need any other motivation." - NZPA