Golf: Edwards eyes record third title

Rotorua's Landyn Edwards is aiming to be the first golfer to win three titles at the Danny Lee Springfield Open this weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker

Some people may accuse Landyn Edwards of being greedy - the Rotorua amateur will look to secure his third title in four years at the Danny Lee Springfield Open.

Edwards won the amateur tournament in 2012 and 2014 and will attempt to defend his title this weekend.

The annual tournament is full this year with 96 golfers set to compete at the Springfield Golf Club, starting tomorrow morning.

If Edwards wins the 56-hole tournament, he will become the first person to win three titles at the event since it started in 2007.

The only other golfers to have won the tournament twice include Danny Lee (2007, 2008) and Zoe Brake (2007, 2008).

Edwards pulled off a come-from-behind victory at the Open last year, after fellow Rotorua golfer Victor Janin surrendered a six-shot lead on the final day.

The tournament will see players complete 36 holes tomorrow and the final 18 holes on Sunday.

The prize table is worth more than $10,000 which gives each player plenty of incentive to perform.

Tournament director Craig Tiriana said a lot of young amateurs would be competing with the majority of players under the age of 23.

He said Danny Lee and his family put money towards the event each year with the goal of supporting young golfers.

Lee, who is currently competing on the PGA Tour, won his first Springfield Open title at the age of 16, on his home course, and has supported the event financially since 2010.

Tiriana said a lot of very good up-and-coming golfers had played the tournament over the years.

"It gives them a chance to test themselves along the way," he said. "In 10 or 20 years we will have players who go a long way [in the sport]."

Some of the top amateurs who will be attending this weekend include Bay representative Harry Hillier and Auckland's Nathan Kim. Past champion Brittney Dryland will also be competing.

Tiriana said a lot of Bay of Plenty representatives had left their mark on the tournament in the past.

"We have had a good run of Bay players come through this tournament," he said.

-Competition gets under way tomorrow at 7.30am and runs until about 6pm, with the final round starting at 8am on Sunday and finishing about 1.30pm. The leading group will tee-off last on Sunday.