Golf: Kiwis back from lean times with big paydays

Two New Zealand golfers grabbed healthy pay packets in the United States and Europe yesterday.

Phil Tataurangi had his best result for nearly two years when his closing 70 moved him into a share of 12th place at the Greater Greensboro Classic in North Carolina.

And Stephen Scahill had his best cheque in three years on the European Tour after finishing joint fourth in the Portuguese Open in Faro.

Tataurangi finished five strokes behind the winner, Scott Hoch.

The New Zealander, who won $US68,600 ($164,569), had moved into contention with a third-round 66 on Sunday and he maintained his composure yesterday in a performance which will boost his confidence after a lean spell dating back to a neck injury which seriously reduced his appearances on tour.

Compatriot Frank Nobilo was well down the leaderboard at 281 after a closing 72.

Hoch, 45, is the oldest player to win on tour since Tom Watson captured the 1998 Colonial tournament at the age of 48.

He broke a 94-tournament winless streak on the PGA Tour, shooting a final-round 69 for a total of 16-under 272.

It was his ninth career victory and the first since the 1997 Greater Milwaukee Open.

Hoch started the day leading by one shot, and ended up beating Brett Quigley and Scott Simpson by one, despite a bogey at the 18th.

The $US630,000 winner's purse was the largest of his 22-year career.

His previous best was $US378,000 in the 1997 Players' Championship.

In Portugal, Scahill was one of five players tied for the lead heading into the final round.

However, Welshman Phil Price stormed through the large field to win by two strokes with a last round of 64.

Price, 34, who began the last day in 15th place, recorded 10 birdies and two bogies to clinch a second Portuguese Open title.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who led for the first two rounds before slipping back into a share of the lead on the third day, finished tied in second place, at 13-under, with Germany's Sven Struver.

Scahill (70, 69, 66, 72) finished equal fourth, at 11-under, with Scotland's Alastair Forsyth and Spain's Ignacio Garrido.

They were four strokes behind Price.

The Featherston golfer was unable to produce a low-scoring final round to keep him in the title chase. His chance at glory dipped when he could only manage level par.

"It was always going to be hard with five of us tied for the lead because everyone is trying to work out what they need to win," he said.

"I figured I probably needed a 68 to get to 15-under, which was right on the money.

"But I was very happy with the way I handled myself because I calmly took one shot at a time.

"I didn't get too excited, even though my body was feeling nervous.

"I just felt calm and felt good. It is a good result for me regardless of what happened."

Scahill's placing was his best on the main European Tour since finishing second in the 1998 Madeira Island Open.

His 11-under total earned him a cheque of £26,584 ($94,336).

It boosted his Order of Merit standing to 49th place, with earnings in European tournaments this year of £56,940.

Elliott Boult, who began the last round at seven under, could only manage a final-day 71 to finish in a share of 15th place, at eight under.

But the Blenheim golfer was left cursing a spectator who took a photo of him just at the top of his back swing on the ninth tee.

The result left Boult hitting out of bounds and taking a double-bogey.

Boult had started the final round well with a an eagle at the second hole and then birdied four and five, but also took double-bogey at the 11th.

"I was right in the thick of things early on and I thought 'here we go,' but then nine hurt me bad," he said.

"It was disappointing to finish off the pace, especially after being up there the first day, so I don't know what I will learn from this.

"The good thing is that I'm getting myself more in contention, which is nice I suppose."

- AGENCIES