The complex nature of golf's Alfred Dunhill Cup rules has denied New Zealand a semifinal spot for the second year running.
New Zealand fell one frustrating match short of reaching the last four, despite their 2-1 victory over Italy in the final round of qualifying at St Andrews in Scotland yesterday.
Greg
Turner, Michael Long and Michael Campbell needed to win all three matches to overhaul section winners Sweden, who beat the out-of-form top-seeded Americans 2-1.
It was similar to last year, when New Zealand needed to beat Australia 3-0 but only won 2-1 and their transtasman rivals again reached the semifinals.
The Australians - Peter O'Malley, Stephen Leaney and Craig Parry - played Sweden overnight for a place in the final against defending champions South Africa or Spain.
The New Zealanders were quietly confident of a 3-0 win over the Italians, whitewash winners over the United States on day two.
Turner gave the team hope with a two-stroke victory over Emanuele Canonica, recording a 2-under 70, before all eyes focused on the Long-Massimo Scarpa match.
Long, who won his two earlier matches, birdied the 18th but still finished one stroke short with an even-par 72, after trailing for most of the match.
Campbell recorded a four-stroke win over Costantino Rocca in the other match-up.
"It's a bit frustrating we're not going through - the same happened last year when we ended up on the same number of points as Australia," said Turner. "We'd beaten them, yet they still went through.
"It's the same with Sweden. We played well this week and beat two good teams in Sweden and Italy."
Turner and Campbell remain in Europe, while Long is heading home to Perth to prepare for his attempt at earning a USPGA Tour card.
He goes to Florida in midNovember for a six-round attempt at breaking on to the lucrative American circuit.
"This week could hopefully be my last on the European Tour," said Long. "It's nice to be leaving with two good wins under my belt here at St Andrews." - NZPA
