Golf: Phil stakes his claim

New Zealand golfer Phil Tataurangi got in early to stake a strong claim at the Jacob's Creek Open in Adelaide yesterday.

In just his second tournament after a back injury sidelined him for 16 months, Tataurangi scurried up the leaderboard when his third round of four-under-par 68 left him in a share of fourth place at Royal Adelaide.

He was in a group of five players - including compatriots Brad Iles and Michael Long - on four-under 212, two shots shy of the leader, Australian Michael Sim.

New Zealander David Smail was in also the mix after a 73 left him on 214 and among 28 players within four shots of the lead.

One behind rookie pro Sim, 21, were Australians Nick Flanagan and Adam Crawford, who shot 66 and 71, respectively.

Tataurangi was among the earlier starters and he took full advantage before the greens hardened in the afternoon sun.

His blemish-free round included birdies at the second, third, 14th and 16th holes as he jockeyed himself into a position to challenge for the co-sanctioned tournament title today.

Tataurangi missed the cut a fortnight ago in Panama when he returned to tournament golf in the Nationwide Tour's Panama Championship. He intends contesting the New Zealand PGA Championship next week in Christchurch before returning to the PGA Tour in the United States for the first time since 2004.

Both Long and Iles had moments of concern while posting matching 73s, although Iles, 22 and in just his fifth tournament as a professional, enjoying a brief period as the tournament leader.

He found himself in front by one turning for home after pocketing birdies at the second, eighth and ninth holes.

However, Iles tripped up on the journey home, bogeys at 13 and 17 coming either side of a double bogey six on the 14th when his third shot left him short of the green.

Sim, is a fresh face on the pro circuit following a glittering amateur career, which included his winning last year's New Zealand strokeplay championship.

He finished with an even par 72 today after bogeying two of the last three holes to fall back towards the pack.

- NZPA