Golf: NZ seventh at world champs

New Zealand finished a meritorious seventh at the world amateur women's teams golf championship in South Africa today.

They ended on six-under-par 570, four shots shy of South Africa, who won the Espirito Santo Trophy on a countback from defending champions Sweden after the pair finished 10-under 566.

Colombia were third on 567, France fourth on 568, and Germany and Japan fifth equal on 569.

New Zealand were led by another top effort from Sarah Nicholson, who shot a four-under 68 to finish fifth equal in the individual rankings.

American-based teenager Natasha Krishna shot 73 Sharon Ahn, 15, had a non-counting 78.

It is New Zealand's best performance since they were third in Spain 14 years ago, and bettered by two their placing two years ago in Puerto Rico.

They finished one shot away from fifth place, which would have won a pre-tournament pledge from New Zealand Golf high performance manager Gaylene Eyre to shave her head and coach Shelley Duncan to wear hair extensions to the official tournament dinner.

"As scary as that prospect was, it would have been worth it," Duncan joked.

"It was an awesome performance this week and everyone contributed. They showed they can match it with the best in the world.

"I guess we could look back on that first day when he finished badly but there are no what-ifs in golf. They worked incredibly hard in their preparation, they got on well and they stuck to it.

"There was only one team that scored better than us today so they really stood up in the heat of the battle with the pressure on."

New Zealand finished ahead of 13-time winners the United States, who had to be content with ninth place, while Australia were 14th.

"People are quick to compare us with Australia. We were five places ahead of them in Puerto Rico two years ago and we were seven places and 11 shots ahead of them here," Duncan said.

New Zealand were the best team over the final two days, negotiating the last 36 holes in eight-under, while Nicholson was the best individual in the closing two rounds.

Nicholson, 21, was in outstanding touch today, pocketing five birdies in her final 11 holes.

"Sarah was absolutely in the zone," Duncan said.

"She made one bogey in the last 36 holes and was in complete control -- long off the tee and with her short game firing. She showed to the world just how talented she can be."

Nicholson heads to Europe next month to qualifying school for the Ladies European Tour.

The leading individual was Sweden's Caroline Westrup on 280, four ahead of Nicholson, while Ahn was 33rd on 294 and Krishna 36th on 295.

The team leave South Africa tomorrow while the New Zealand men's team of Josh Geary, Mark Purser and James Gill have arrived and to begin final preparations on the same Stellenbosch and De Zalze courses for the Eisenhower Trophy which starts on Thursday.

- NZPA