A youthful brigade is to challenge established European, Australian and New Zealand professional golfers in this week's New Zealand Women's Open near Christchurch.
The second Open starts at the new Pegasus course north of Christchurch today, this year boasting $415,000 prizemoney and full co-sanctioning status with the Australian LPG and
the Ladies European Tour.
That has helped attract seven of Europe's top 10 players and a sprinkling of Australia's best, while there is also interest in the professional debut on home soil of Auckland's Cathryn Bristow, just the third New Zealander to qualify for the LPGA Tour in the United States.
Organisers have also invited several young hopefuls, many who have advanced from the testing ground of the US collegiate scene to the LPGA.
They include Korean-born Australian Misun Cho, a Pepperdine University graduate who finished second overall in the Duramed Futures last year, to earn her promotion to the LPGA.
Other young hopes include the Korean LPGA rookie of the year He Young Choi, two-time Espirito Santo world amateur winner Pernilla Lindberg, of Sweden, and South African Open champion Tandi Cuningham.
Graduates from the Futures development tour to the LPGA also include Ireland's Alison Walshe, a Curtis Cup player in 2008, Louise Stahl, the first Swede to win the British amateur, and Dewi Claire, of the Netherlands, the Dutch and Italian amateur champion who has won an NCAA title.
Established LPGA professionals will add to the Open, including Diana D'Alessio, Canada's Lorie Kane, Becky Morgan, of Wales and Jane Park, of Korea.
"It is a fantastic field with real quality," tournament promoter Bob Tuohy said.
New Zealand Golf officials will have extra interest in their amateur lineup, with the country's two most exciting young prospects, Cecilia Cho and Lydia Ko, both teeing off together for the first time in New Zealand colours.
Twelve-year-old Ko, of Pupuke, the North Island champion and runner-up in last year's New Zealand amateur championship, gained her citizenship in December.
Cho, 15, of Pakuranga, won 15 individual titles last year and has also just received her citizenship.
- NZPA
