Dryland and Hung feature at final qualifying

Amateurs Britney Dryland and Julianna Hung survived a nervous wait today before the news that they had earned a spot in this weeks MCKAYSON New Zealand Womens Open to become two of sixteen Kiwis playing this week.

Dryland was one of six players to earn a start in the first LPGA Tour event to come to New Zealand, after todays final qualifying at Royal Auckland Golf Club.

The experienced amateur made a disastrous double-bogey on the final hole which looked to have blown her opportunity. However, she was all smiles when she realised one of her career goals had come true.

"It feels pretty good, I had a nervous wait after messing up my round with a double on the last, so Im very happy to be playing in an LPGA Tour event," said Dryland.

"Its pretty cool that its in my hometown where my family and friends will be able to come watch and support."

Dryland has won on the local Jennian Homes Charles Tour after her maiden victory at the Akarana Open last year and will be aiming to use that experience and more in front of her home fans.

"Its also exciting to see all those big names here and this was always one of my main goals, so to play in a New Zealand Open for the first time this week will be amazing."

FULL LIST OF KIWI PLAYERS ENTERED

Lydia Ko

Cathryn Bristow

Lynette Brooky

Chantelle Cassidy

Julianne Alveraz

Munchin Keh

Wenyung Keh

Amelia Garvey

Rose Zheng

Jenna Hunter

Phillis Meti

Tania Tare

Hanee Song

Ayean Cho

Brittney Dryland

Julianna Hung

Finishing in outright second, things seemed more stress-free for Australias Tamara Johns who carded an even-par round of 72 to qualify for the inaugural LPGA event in Auckland.

It was in fact the second time she had qualified. Johns earned a spot through her ranking on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) but she forgot to register. So she had to venture across the Tasman and try her luck in final qualifying.

"I actually didnt enter the tournament after confusion over time delays, but fortunately things happen for a reason," beamed a relieved Johns. "If I had entered I would have got straight in, so silly me and lesson learned.

"I was lucky enough to shoot a solid round of even-par and I am happy with where my game is at and after hearing a lot of good things about the course, I am really looking forward to the week."

South Korean amateur Selin Hyun topped qualifiers with a two-under par 70 ahead of Johns who shot and even-par 72 while Dryland (Titirangi club) shared the last spot on one-over 73 with fellow amateurs Brooke Baker (United States), Hannah Park (Australia) and Christchurchs Juliana Hung (Russley).

Also joining them in the field is the Chinese pair of Ji Yifan and Mu Doohan who progressed from the Search initiative, a programme staged in Asia to identify emerging talent, promoted by the Institute of Golf, Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED), New Zealand Golf, The Clubhouse and MCKAYSON.

There is practice on Tuesday, the Pro-Am presented by RSM on Wednesday with the tournament proper from Thursday until Sunday, with a cut to the best 70 players plus ties to play the weekend.

Hospitality packages for the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women's Open are still available. A limited number of four-day season passes are available at $99 plus booking fee. Single day passes are available at $39 for Thursday and Friday and $49 per day for Saturday and Sunday - both plus booking fee. All children 16 years and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Final qualifying scores(all amateur unless denoted P):

70 Selin Hyun (South Korea)

72 Tamara Johns (P, Australia)

73 Brooke Baker (United States), Hannah Park (Australia), Juliana Hung (Russley), Brittney Dryland (Titirangi)

74 Tara Raj (Wanganui)

75 Focus Jonglikit (Riverside), Grace Lennon (Australia)

76 Vivian Lu (Royal Auckland and Grange), Yin Ruoning (China), Caryn Khoo (Pakuranga), Carmen Lim (Windross Farm Golf Course), Eun Kyung Lee (South Korea)

77 Katelyn Must (Australia), Jessica Huang (Pakuranga), Miree Jung (Titirangi), Soo Jin Lee (Australia), Liu Wenbo (China), Zhang Yue (China)

78 Siyi Keh (Pakuranga)

79 Anna An (Muriwai), Hitomi Tamura (Riverside)

80 Chizuru Ueda (Australia), Michelle Lee (Takapuna-Thomas Park), Fiona Xu (Pakuranga)

81 Gennai Goodwin (Australia), Yeonsoo Son (North Shore), Subin Wui (Pupuke), Liu Yiyi (China), Amy Walsh (Australia)

82 Joanna Kim (Windross Farm Golf Course), Darae Chung (Shandon), Stephanie Grant (Remuera), Silvia Brunotti (North Shore)

83 Yoonjeong Huh (Gulf Harbour Country Club), Hillary O'Connor (Pegasus), Grace Senior (Wairakei International Golf Course)

85 Priscilla Eujin Kang (North Shore), Ellie Baek (Pakuranga), Anni Guo (China), Brianna Maynard (Aviation Country Club of NZ), Erika Cui (Boulcott's Farm Heritage)

86 Jessica Green (North Shore), Cheayeon Lee (Pupuke), Danika Lee (Takapuna-Thomas Park)

87 Zoann Huang (St. Andrews of Hamilton (Hamilton)), Emily Stenhouse (Marlborough)

99 Yejoon Yoon (Gulf Harbour Country Club)

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ