A TIRED Darren Clarke trudged off the New South Wales golf club in Sydney not looking forward to his second lengthy plane flight in a week.

Clarke, who finished well back in the Australian PGA, heads from Sydney to South Africa to join compatriot Padraig Harrington in Ireland's team for the World Cup, which starts in Cape Town on Thursday.

Clarke spent the best part of 24 hours travelling to Australia last week and, after competing in Sydney, was staring at a near 12 hour flight to Cape Town before he ultimately returns to Ireland for a much needed break.

Clarke, who finished 24th, and Paul McGinley, in 19th, were never in the hunt in Sydney, where New Zealand's Phillip Tataurangi was the surprise winner.

The 25 year old Kiwi leapfrogged some of Australia's best golfers on a windswept final day by recording a five under 67 to pull off a stunning, one shot win.

Despite Clarke's lowly effort, he did show a glimpse of the form that helped clinch last month's German Masters, producing four birdies over the closing nine holes for a four under 68.

"I was disappointed that I was not in contention, and, especially after shooting a 77 on Friday, I knew I had left myself a lot to do," said Clarke. "But I have played a lot better today and that is something I can now take with me to the World Cup."

Clarke will be making his third appearance for Ireland in the World Cup, while it will be Harrington's first. "I think Ireland has a pretty good chance this year, especially as both of us have played pretty good in Europe. "So if we can get working together we are definitely going to be in there with a strong chance.

Unfortunately any chance McGinley had of making an impression on the final day of the Australian event was blown off course by the blustery wind that halted the afternoon play for an hour.

McGinley, just five shots adrift of second place at the beginning of play, dipped out of contention to finish with a one over 73. Despite four birdies in his final round, two double bogeys took their toll. "I'm disappointed to finish where I have because I was confident of a top 10 finish at the start of the day," said McGinley.

McGinley is remaining in Sydney for the Australian Open being staged at the The Australian Club just minutes up the road from the New South Wales club. "My sole aim of coming to Australia was to sharpen my skills on the Australian courses, and though I didn't finish the way I would have liked this week the courses are just so good down here that I know I have made the right decision."

Greg Norman, the world number one, will defend his Australian Open title. Tiger Woods will be making his first appearance in Australia.

. Jane Crafter kept her nerve to sink an eagle putt from 42 feet on the 18th green to seal a nail biting victory in the women's Australian Masters Championship. But Britain's Laura Davies missed her chance of forcing a play off when she pushed her 16 foot eagle putt wide of the cup at the same hole.