Golf: Smail ties for seventh on Japan Tour

David Smail of New Zealand plays a shot. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand golfer David Smail has produced his best result in more than a year on the Japan Tour.

He finished tied for seventh in the Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup, his first top 10 since the early part of last season.

The 41-year-old closed with a round of two-under-par 70 today to end the tournament at five-under 283, 10 shots behind the winner, Kyung-Tae Kim, of Korea.

Smail thrust himself into contention with a 67 in the first round but could not maintain that momentum in the middle stages as further rounds of 72 and 74 left him entering the last round in sixth place.

He will bank a cheque for 3.56 million yen ($50,000) for his efforts.

- NZPA