Golf: Smail wins NZ Open

Japan-based David Smail won his first professional tournament when taking the New Zealand Open in Auckland.

New Zealander Smail shot a final-round 70 to card a seven-under-par 273 for the tournament, two clear of four golfers tied for second.

The 30-year-old, who turned professional in 1992, beat countrymen Steve Alker (69) and defending champion Michael Campbell (66), Australian Nathan Gatehouse (68) and England's Roger Chapman (69), who all finished on five-under-par 275.

Smail led the championship after the second round and never relinquished his grip on the 2001 title following earlier scores of 66, 68 and 69.