Golf: Smail chases further glory

SYDNEY - While much of the focus this week has been on Aaron Baddeley and Michael Campbell, New Zealand golfer David Smail hopes he can quietly meet his own lofty ambition at the $A1.5 million ($1.85 million) ANZ Championship here.

There is plenty at stake for the Hamiltonian when he tees off at the Concord Golf Club today for the final event of an Australasian PGA Tour season that has resurrected his career.

Smail is in third place on the tour's order of merit.

The top three finishers on the money list earn a place in this year's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes and an automatic spot in the final stage of the United States tour school.

"I've never done either of those and I'd definitely relish the chance for both. If you get an opportunity like this you really have to try and take it," Smail said.

Smail has won $A382,389, mainly due to consecutive victories in the New Zealand Open and Canon Challenge last month.

Victorian Baddeley leads the way on $A639,525 courtesy of Australian Open and Greg Norman Holden International titles.

He is aiming to be the first rookie to top the order of merit since Australian Robert Allenby in 1991-92.

Second is Wellingtonian Campbell on $A475,702.

He accrued $A936,810 to win record prize money last year.

Victory this week to either of the New Zealanders would earn them a winner's cheque of $A270,000. In that case, a low placing from Baddeley would see them win the money title.

If Smail won, Baddeley would have to finish no better than 35th and should Campbell succeed the Australian would need to finish second to deny the merit honour.

An added incentive for them is that the top two money-winners will start in the US Open, provided their world rankings are in the top 75.

Neither Smail nor Baddeley are at present, while Campbell is 16th. Smail believed some top placings on the Japanese tour in coming months could push him there.

"But I'm not thinking top two at the moment.

"The top three is the main target and something I hope I can hold on to."

The closest rivals behind him are consistent Australians Nick O'Hern ($A339,230) and Peter Lonard ($A309,387), who could move past Smail with top-four placings if the New Zealander finished down the field.

Smail, Baddeley and Lonard have been grouped together for the first two rounds at Concord.

Smail last played at Concord eight years ago and the course has become distinctly shorter and tighter, with a greater preponderance of bunkers.

Fifteen New Zealanders will tee off today - Campbell, Smail, Steve Alker, Greg Turner, Matthew Lane, Marcus Wheelhouse, Paul Devenport, Michael Long, Richard Lee, Philip Tataurangi, Stephen Scahill, Mark Brown, Carl Brooking, Martin Pettigrew and Grant Moorhead.

- NZPA