Golf: Jae An sets sights on under-19 title

Rotorua's Jae An will be one of the hot favourites at the North Island under-19 golf championships which begin tomorrow in Tokoroa.

The 13-year-old took the golf world by storm at the recent New Zealand Open at Paraparaumu Beach by becoming the youngest to qualify and then make the cut.

On a plus 1.8 handicap index An is not the lowest marker in the 120-strong field with Paraparaumu Beach's Peter Smithson carrying a plus 2.9 index.

Both Smithson and An played in last year's Tower Interprovincial event and are expected to lead the way in the biggest field assembled for the annual 54-hole event to date.

The event was first played for in 1986 with former New Zealand Open champion Matthew Lane winning at Wellington's Shandon course.

The Tokoroa course is in great condition and the course record set by Blair Hope at six-under-par 66 could be under threat.

Play begins from 7am tomorrow with a two-tee start for 36-holes, while the final round commences at the same time on Thursday.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)