Golf: Smail's top 3 hopes dashed

SYDNEY - Bad news for New Zealander David Smail was good news for New South Welshman Peter Lonard, who won the $A1.5 million ($1.85 million) ANZ Championship at Sydney's Concord Golf Club in dramatic style yesterday.

In an exciting end to the Australasian Tour season, Lonard edged ahead of playing partner and fellow overnight leader Nathan Green on the final hole, to win by a shot on 15-under.

Green, also of NSW, hit the flag with his approach shot but the ball rebounded 14ft clear and he missed his birdie putt while Lonard knocked his in from 10ft and punched the air in delight.

Lonard joined Smail and Victorian Aaron Baddeley as a two-time winner on the tour this season, having claimed the Ford Open in December.

Baddeley was a comfortable winner of the Order of Merit for season's earnings with $A663,000, following his 13th placing yesterday. Lonard's $A270,000 cheque took him from fifth to second place on $A579,000.

Despite a lowly 31st placing yesterday, New Zealand's Michael Campbell was third with $A484,000.

It was heartbreak for Smail, who dropped from third to fourth on $A427,000, after finishing sixth yesterday on nine-under.

The top three Order of Merit placegetters earn starts at the British Open and United States Tour qualifying school, two things Smail, from Hamilton, desperately craved.

"You can't do anything about how well Peter played. It's magic for him," Smail said.

"I've done my best. I didn't play that well this week, so it was nice to still have a top-10 finish."

Smail's disappointment yesterday was countered by news that he has been invited to play in the Greater Hartford Open on the USPGA Tour in July.

- NZPA