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An image of David Smail and Sato Kurihara sent to TVNZ - Source: ONE News
New Zealand golfer David Smail says a Japanese woman he has admitted having an affair with has threatened to ruin his family.
Sato Kurihara sent media outlets, including TVNZ, incriminating images when she revealed the affair earlier this week.
In an email she described Smail as a "foul guy" and claimed the two of them had been in love for three years. She called him the Tiger Woods of NZ, referring to the world number one golfer's much publicised affairs.
Smail told the Waikato Times that he repeatedly tried to end his affair with Kurihara, 27, and she threatened to expose the relationship to media outlets in both Japan and New Zealand.
An apologetic Smail said he permanently ended the relationship three weeks ago.
Kurihara said Smail, 40, is a serial adulterer but Smail denied this, telling the paper he has had only one affair.
He is taking legal action against Kurihara, alleging she is stalking him.
Smail's wife Sheree said she would stand by her husband and
their 25-year relationship.
Smail is currently New Zealand's highest ranked golfer at 225 in
the world but has featured in the top 100.
He has won five titles on the Japan Golf Tour over 13
years which has helped him earn in excess
of NZ$10 million.
His last tournament was the Sun Chlorella Classic, which ended on
August 1.
Until then he had played in every event on the Japanese tour this
year.
