Defending champions Auckland will be without Cecilia Cho for today's opening round of the women's interprovincial tournament in Wellington.
The New Zealand and Australian amateur champion will be flying back from China where she added a further title to her growing international career.
Cho, who turned 16 last week, tookout overall honours in the annual Aaron Baddeley Junior International on Sunday.
She won a playoff on the second extra hole to take the overall title after she finished tied with the 15 years division winner Annie Choi (Korea) after 72 holes.
Cho comfortably won the 16 years division, with consistent rounds of 73, 75, 74 and 71 on the demanding Lion Lake course, rated the best new course in China.
She trailed Choi by three shots for the overall honours going into the final round but drew level with her best round of the tournament before prevailing in the playoff.
Fellow Aucklander Sam An (Titirangi) won the 16 years age group in the boys' contest in China, five shots clear of American Trey Kaahanui.
Cho flies to New Zealand today, heading straight for Wellington to lead her team for the third round on Wednesday against Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay at Miramar Golf Club.
Auckland have the bye in today's opening round. They will need to call on reserve Emily Eng to replace Cho at No 1 for their afternoon clash against Southland.
Auckland are chasing their 20th provincial victory in Wellington this week, after beating arch-rivals North Harbour last year in a classic final which went to a sudden-death play-off.
Waikato, North Harbour and hosts Wellington appeal as the most likely teams to thwart the defending champion.
New Zealand representative Emily Perry gives Waikato a strong hand at No 1 while the brilliant 13-year-old Lydia Ko, an outstanding performer at the recent Espirito Santo world teams' championship, leads North Harbour.
Wellington, fifth last year with an extremely young combination, have the host course advantage with five of last year's team back again.
The 14 districts go through round robin play until Friday and semifinals and final on Saturday.
- NZPA
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