Golf: Women golfers thrashed

New Zealand were outclassed by a white-hot Australian women's golf team on the first day of the Tasman Cup clash in Adelaide yesterday.

After trailing 1-2 in the morning foursomes, New Zealand were swept aside in all six singles in the afternoon, with only Taupo's Tina Howard and Taranaki's Olivia Hartley extending their matches past the 14th hole at the Royal Adelaide course.

While the youthful and inexperienced New Zealand team knew they faced a major battle, they were not prepared for the tidal wave.

All the Australians were under the card, which none of the New Zealanders managed.

National coach Geoff Smart pulled no punches: "We were totally outclassed.

"The team failed to measure up.

"The singles play was simply not acceptable."

- NZPA