WITH an outrageous act of escapology, New Zealand yesterday ousted Australia from the Alfred Dunhill Cup at St Andrews.
Seemingly down and out following their defeat by Japan on Friday, the Frank Nobilo-led Kiwis defied wind and rain to turn on the style and send second-seeded Australia crashing out.
'Everything went our way,' said Nobilo after firing a breathtaking 66 to beat world number one Greg Norman and earn his country a semi-final clash with South Africa.
In the second semi-final, the United States will take on Sweden with the respective winners meeting in the final this afternoon.
While the progress to the knockout stages of the US, Sweden and South Africa was not a surprise, few had given the New Zealand team of Nobilo, Grant Waite and Greg Turner much chance.
Following their Japanese reversal, the New Zealanders went into yesterday's final group matches requiring a 3-0 success over Australia. They also needed Germany to score a point against Japan.
Meanwhile, Australia, with two wins under their belts, needed just one victory from the three medal matchplay contests against New Zealand.