Golf: British Open entry makes up for play-off loss

David Smail

Japan-based New Zealander David Smail will join Michael Campbell in the field for next month's British Open.

Smail finished in a share of second place in the Mizuno Open in Japan, pipped for victory in a three-way playoff, but the top four finishers qualified for the open to be held at St Andrews.

The Hamilton professional was delighted to be back in good form and to qualify for a major although disappointed that a fourth victory on the Japan Tour slipped through his fingers.

Smail, three shots behind overnight, finished with a two under 70 for a 72-hole total of 278 (71, 70, 67, 70) 10-under at the JFE Setonaikai Golf Club in Okayama.

He finished in a three-way tie with Australian Chris Campbell and overnight leader Tadahiro Takayama.

They birdied the first sudden-death hole before Campbell secured his first win in Japan when he birdied from the bunker on the second extra hole.

Smail said he was looking forward to playing in the British Open and to catching up with US Open champion Michael Campbell.

"It was an incredible result," Smail said of Campbell's victory last week.

"It certainly gave me a boost this week. It's just great news for Michael and for golf in New Zealand.

"I didn't get to watch it live as I was flying back to Japan but my wife Sheree rang me when I landed.

"It was a brilliant performance. I'm sure his win has provided inspiration to every Kiwi golfer."

The Open at St Andrews will be a special occasion for Smail.

"I've never played the open at St Andrews, although I did play the Dunhill Cup there. I am looking forward to it."

Smail made two birdies and one bogey to turn one-under in his final round before birdies at the 10th and 15th took him to a share of the lead. However he made a double bogey on the 16th before a superb birdie at the 18th to make the playoff.

It was Smail's best performance of the season to date; his previous best was a share of eighth at the Japan PGA Championship.

He earned $110,000 for his efforts.

Smail will compete in the Japan GT Championships this week before returning to New Zealand, where he will complete his preparations for the British Open.

Meanwhile, Canterbury's Tony Christie claimed his first win on the Von Nida second-tier circuit in Australia.

Christie set a course record on his way to winning the Cairns Classic in North Queensland.

He won the $110,000 event by four shots from Australians Ken Druce and Adam Bland, who won last week's Von Nida Tour event in Western Australia.

In the United States, Michael Long enjoyed his best finish on the US PGA Tour when he finished 26th at the Barclays Classic in Westchester, New York.

Long, who had been playing in some Nationwide events this month, finished with an even-par 72 for a 72-hole total of 286, two under.

The Perth-based New Zealander, who is 206th on the money list, swapped an early birdie with a dropped shot at the sixth.

He made back-to-back birdies at the ninth and 10th to jump from 29th place overnight into the top-15 before slipping back with bogeys at the 12th, 16th and 17th. The event was won by Ireland's Padraig Harrington on 274. 

- NZPA