Golf: US tour status in jeopardy for Waite, Nobilo

Two of New Zealand's most accomplished golfers are flirting with danger as the US PGA Tour winds down for the season.

Grant Waite and Frank Nobilo, tour regulars since 1990 and 1996 respectively, are in danger of losing their cards for 2003.

Two of only five New Zealanders to register wins on the US tour, the pair must finish in the top 125 on the moneylist to guarantee playing privileges next season.

With six regular tour events to come, Nobilo is on the bubble at 122. Waite has his work cut out to improve his ranking from 143.

Both failed to take advantage of the absence of the tour's stars - who were in Ireland at the WGC-American Express Championship - when contesting the Tampa Bay Classic in Florida, won yesterday by Korea's K.J. Choi.

Waite could only manage to finish in a tie for 65th, and Nobilo missed the second-round cut, a fate shared by compatriot Michael Long.

This year Long, Nobilo and Waite were joined by Craig Perks and Phil Tataurangi in New Zealand's strongest-yet contingent on the US tour.

Perks will return next year, courtesy of his magnificent win in the Players Championship in March, which contributed US$1.08 million ($2.32 million) towards his season's earnings of US$1,632,042.

And Tataurangi has been in the most consistent form of his life to be 84th on the money list with tournament earnings of US$688,814.

His tour card safe, Tataurangi has taken a three-week break. He rejoins the action this week for the Texas Open.

New Zealanders on US PGA tour:, Craig Perks, US$1,632,042 (30th), Phil Tataurangi, US$688,814 (84th), Frank Nobilo, US$447,324 (122nd), Grant Waite US$322,365 (143rd), Michael Long, US$107,265 (191st).

- NZPA