Golf: Six to watch at the New Zealand Open

It is shaping up as a transtasman battle - the best of the host country against the prime Australian talent. Expect these six to figure on the leaderboard next week

NEW ZEALAND


PHILIP TATAURANGI

BORN: Auckland, October 31, 1971. TURNED PRO: 1993

Injury struck the 32-year-old last year just as he was looking to cement himself on the US PGA Tour. Began the year strongly with a tie for 17th at the season-opening Mercedes, tie for seventh in the AT&T at Pebble Beach and a tie for 39th in his first trip to the Masters at Augusta.

But a serious back ailment cut short his season in August. In 2002 won the Invenys Classic with a final-round 62 for a 29-under total in the Las Vegas event. That was 10 years to the week after he finished leading individual in the 1992 Eisenhower Trophy in Canada. Has three career wins - the 1996 Australian PGA, the Tri-Cities on the Nike Tour in the same year and the Invenys. Finished tied for seventh and third in successive New Zealand Opens (1997-98).

STEVEN ALKER

BORN: Hamilton, July 28, 1971. TURNED PRO: 1995

An up and down last two years for the likeable righthander. Had an excellent 2002 on the Buy.com Tour, winning the Louisiana Open and securing his US PGA Tour card. However a tie for 17th at the Buick Open was his best result and he was unable to retain his card at qualifying school, finishing 96th. Picked up $US261,359 last year in winnings.

Has had eight career wins, dating back to the Fiji Open of 1995, which required a seven-hole playoff. His South Australian Open win in 1997 included a course record equalling 65 on the last day.

Won the 2000 Canadian Order of Merit. Chasing his first New Zealand Open title.

MICHAEL CAMPBELL

BORN: Hawera, March 23, 1969. TURNED PRO 1993

Finished 2003 15th on the European Order of Merit after a mixed year when he based himself in the US to tackle the PGA Tour. However, his form did not measure up and he returned to Europe, ending the year strongly. He won the Irish Open, was second in the European Masters and tied for seventh in the Volvo Masters.

The Irish Open was his 12th career title, dating back to the 1993 Canon Challenge. Had four wins in 1999-2000 season, equalling the record and had a career-high world No 14 ranking soon after.

Has one New Zealand Open on his mantlepiece, achieved at Paraparaumu Beach in 2000.

Began this European season with a tie for 10th in the Hong Kong Open.

AUSTRALIA


PETER FOWLER

BORN: Sydney, June 9, 1959. TURNED PRO: 1977

Seven wins in the career of the Auckland-based Australian. Won the Australian Open in 1983 and the New Zealand Open 10 years later. That year he also won the BMW International in Europe, his last Tour win.

In 1989, he was individual and team champion (with Wayne Grady) in the World Cup.

Five top-10 results last year in Europe, including a sixth at the Madrid Open.

This summer has found good form with ties for fourth at the Australian Open, two shots behind winner Peter Lonard, and eighth at the Australian PGA in the last month.

PETER O'MALLEY

BORN: Bathurst, June 23, 1965. TURNED PRO: 1987

One of the nice guys of the game, O'Malley's first career win was the Scottish Open of 1992, still remembered for his sizzling late run where he went through the final five holes seven under to pip Colin Montgomerie.

Has twice struck success in New Zealand, winning the Open in 1995 and the Clearwater Classic in Christchurch in 2002. A former Australian junior champion, he represented Australia in the Dunhill Cup for the first time in 1999, helping Australia to the final.

Picked up his third European title in 2001 when he won the English Open. Arrives in good touch with ties for eighth at the Australian PGA and the Masters last month.

PETER SENIOR

BORN: Singapore, July 31, 1959. TURNED PRO: 1976

A regular visitor to the Open, Senior arrives in prime form. His 19 career wins dating back to the 1979 South Australian Open include the Australian PGA late last year. It was his first win in six years and enhanced his career prizemoney in Australasia past $3 million. He also tied for 11th in the Masters and 18th in the Australian Open.

Has been in the top 10 on the ANZ Order of Merit in 10 of the last 13 seasons. His wins includes victories in Europe and Japan.

Recognised as one of the pioneers of the 'broomstick' putter, which he has put to good use this summer.