IBARAKI, Japan - It was a different tournament but a similar story for New Zealander David Smail as he finished one stroke behind winner Yuji Igarashi at the UBS Japan Tour Championship.
Six months after blowing a late three-shot lead at the Australian Open, Smail again led by the same margin after three birdies in the first four holes at Shishido Hills on Sunday.
But the talented New Zealander made four bogeys in a frustrating seven-hole stretch from No 6, and could only par the final six holes for a one-over-par 72.
"I just didn't drive the ball well," lamented the 39-year-old from Hamilton, who struggled all week with the occasional push to the right.
"It's such a tough course if you've got a bad shot that can crop up, and that's what happened on (the sixth).
"I hit it wide and made bogey and then played a bit nervously, because I was worried about that shot coming in."
Smail has now finished second or third no fewer than five times in the past six months, but remains winless in more than four years.
Still, he is in pretty good form heading to next week's US Open, and he described the Shishido Hills rough as a perfect preparation for what he expects will be an even more difficult set-up at Bethpage in New York.
Japan's Igarashi birdied the 11th and 12th holes and then parred home to emerge last man standing, shooting 70 to finish at eight-under 276, one stroke ahead of Smail, Korean I J Jang, who bogeyed three of the final four holes, and Japan's Toru Suzuki.
Australians Brendan Jones and Rich Tate tied for 55th, a distant 15 shots off the pace.
"I'm tired and grumpy," said Jones, who lost a play-off last Sunday in Japan.
- AAP
Golf: Smail falls short again
David Smail made four bogeys in seven holes to finish a stroke off the pace at the UBS Japan Tour Championship. Photo / Getty Images
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