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FOUR TO CHALLENGE FROM DOWN UNDER

Wednesday 17 July 1996 23:02 BST
Comments

ROBERT

ALLENBY

Australia

Age: 25.

Born: Melbourne

Interests:

fishing, music, boats.

Allenby, whose parents emigrated from Leeds, became the first rookie to top the Australasian Order of Merit in 1992 when he won the Johnnie Walker Classic at Royal Melbourne. Finished 15th in the Open Championship at St Andrews last year and can improve on that this week. Has hit rich form, pipping Colin Montgomerie to win the Alamo English Open at the Forest of Arden at the beginning of June and ended the month by capturing the French Open near Paris. Third in the Volvo Rankings, behind Monty and Ian Woosnam.

Odds: 20-1

FRANK

NOBILO

New Zealand

Age: 36.

Born: Auckland.

Interests: squash, karting, motor racing.

Nobilo, who says he is the great grandson of an Italian pirate, won nearly pounds 500,000 last year, the highlight being victory in the Sarazen World Open Championship in America. It proved that he could live with the best and the Kiwi, who has taken membership at the Stoke Poges club near Slough, is increasingly coming to the fore in the majors. Shot 69 in the last round of the Masters at Augusta and finished fourth. Was also in contention in the US Open at Oakland Hills until a 74 in the final round relegated him to joint 13th.

Odds: 33-1.

WAYNE

RILEY

Australia

Age: 33.

Born: Sydney.

Interests: music, cars, bikes.

Riley, who had a reputation for being a tearaway - booze, birds, gambling, just the national pastimes of Australia - has come of age in recent seasons. His victory in the Australian Open in 1991 was generally regarded as an oddity but he proved a point last year by winning the Scottish Open at Carnoustie, defeating, amongst others, Montgomerie and Nick Faldo. That was his first victory on the European Tour and this year he won the Portuguese Open and was runner up in the Murphy's Irish Open, scoring a phenomenal 66 at Druids Glen in the final round.

Odds: 40-1.

MICHAEL

CAMPBELL

New Zealand

Age: 27.

Born Hawera.

Interests: films, reading, fly fishing.

Like Nobilo, Campbell has become a serious player, announcing his arrival by inspiring New Zealand to victory in the Eisenhower Trophy in 1992. Won the Australian and New South Wales amateur championships before turning professional in 1993. Campbell, a Maori, says his great great great grandfather was a Scot who emigrated to New Zealand in 1845. Runner up in the Volvo PGA Championship last year and led the Open at St Andrews following a 65 in the third round. Finished a stroke off the play-off between John Daly and Costantino Rocca.

Odds: 66-1.

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