Off the tee: Farewell to the fairway

Marnie McGuire, one of New Zealand's most successful professional sportswomen, has retired.

The 35-year-old Aucklander played two tournaments on the United States LPGA tour this season before packing away her clubs, selling her house in Florida and returning home.

"I think I had been making the decision for the last two years," she said.

"Everything was going great, but it seemed like the right time to stop. I felt I didn't want the lifestyle of living on the road any more.

"I always knew golf wasn't going to be for ever. I had been away from home since I was 17 and the pull of family was very strong."

McGuire, who was taught initially by her father, David, at the Remuera Golf Club, won the British amateur championship at the age of 17, was the leading individual at the Queen Sirikit tournament in Korea in 1991 and had a very successful college career in the United States.

She turned professional and won five tournaments in Japan before switching to the United States tour, where her best result was a second placing in the Ohio Classic.

Her last tournament victory - and one that gave her particular pleasure - was the Australian Open in 1998, where the diminutive Kiwi beat a strong field in appalling weather.

McGuire took a break from the US tour three years ago, but returned after regaining her enthusiasm. But this time she says the decision is final.

"There's no going back this time. I have no regrets," she said. "It's been a fantastic golfing life. I was one of the lucky people who got to do something for a living that they were passionate about.

"Not many people get the chance to immerse themselves completely in one activity. Now I'm excited about reconnecting to a second life."

She is training at the New Zealand College of Massage to become a massage therapist and would like to be involved in helping elite young women golfers to realise the kind of dream she had as a teenager.

She acknowledges that the kind of game that brought her so much success has probably had its day.

"The game's changed completely," she said. "The kids hit it so far and their techniques are so much better. I realised this little body wasn't going to keep up much longer."

McGuire is keen to change sports. River kayaking has always attracted her and she intends to go back to the tennis she abandoned when golf took over her life.

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Left-handed Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson had one of his best results since joining the paid ranks when he finished equal seventh on 10 under par in the US Nationwide Tour tournament at Knoxville. He won US$15,319 ($24,400).

Wilkinson had rounds of 71, 69, 67 and 71 to finish three shots behind American Hunter Haas, who won the title in a three-man playoff.

Of the other Kiwis, Michael Long was 16th at eight under and Steve Alker, who had been fourth after three rounds, slumped to 32nd after a final 77.

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Organisers of the NZPGA championship have been quick to dispute reports that next year's Christchurch tournament was in doubt because American players were reluctant to support it.

The reports cited complaints from the Nationwide Tour players about having to travel so far for just two tournaments - the NZPGA and the Jacob's Creek event in Adelaide.

Organisers said the US PGA fully supported both events.

Some of the players' concerns had been addressed, some claims were inaccurate and discussions were continuing.