Golf: Scahill's great start

Wellington golfer Stephen Scahill has started 1999 as he intends to finish it, and his end destination could be the United States.

Scahill teamed up with Australian veteran Billy Dunk to share $6800 at the $10,000 Saturn Skins tournament at Paraparaumu yesterday.

Kiwis Sir Bob Charles and Phil Tataurangi won the rest - salvaging $2200 via the newly appointed knight's 3m eagle putt at the 18th.

Scahill, 29, rated last year as his best in six years as a professional.

Consigned to the challenge tour after losing his full European PGA card in 1997, Scahill had limited starts on the main tour but a second placing at the Madeira Open was almost enough to secure him a card this year.

Scahill will again play the challenge tour but hopes it will be the last time he does so.

A top-10 finish on this season's Australasian tour will earn him a place at the final qualifying school for the US PGA tour in November.

"That's where I've always wanted to end up," he said.

Scahill heads back to Australia for the Heineken Classic in Perth at the end of this month.