Golf: Long lengthens list of former champs for 2004 NZ Open

1.20pm


Michael Long's confirmed presence means 10 former champions will contest the New Zealand Open golf championship in Auckland next month.

Long, who this week missed out on his full PGA Tour card in the United States, confirmed he will return home to compete in the New Zealand Open at The Grange on January 15-18.

He will be joined by fellow US-based New Zealander Steve Alker, who has also said he will return to play in the championship after missing out on retaining his full US Tour card.

Long, who won the New Zealand Open at Paraparaumu in 1996, joins a list of other previous champions including four-time champion Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell and David Smail, who won the event when it was last played at The Grange in 2001.

Other former titleholders entered are Australians Peter O'Malley, Peter Fowler, Craig Jones and Lucas Parsons, two-time dual champion Greg Turner and fellow New Zealander Mahal Pearce, who will defend his crown.

The tournament also received a boost with the confirmation of top Australian Nick O'Hern's entry.

The left-handed O'Hern is fresh from his most successful season on the European Tour where he finished 37th in the rankings with earnings of about $1.2 million.

Another Australian who will feature at The Grange is former New Zealand amateur champion Marcus Fraser.

Fraser has earned his full card on the European Tour after three victories on his debut season on the Challenge Tour this year.

Tournament director Phil Aickin said he was still to confirm some leading New Zealand players for the event.

"What is bad luck for Michael Long, is good fortune for us. If he had earned his tour card for the US he would most probably have played in Hawaii. But we are thrilled to have him home.

"We are still to hear from Grant Waite, who retained his card but has not confirmed his playing schedule."

Aickin said one player who is not venturing home is Craig Perks, who is committed to play in the PGA Tour event in Hawaii.

"Craig has told us that he will play in every New Zealand Open if it does not clash with a US Tour event.

"However we do clash with Hawaii next month and therefore we fully understand that he needs to play there."

Among other New Zealand professionals to have confirmed their involvement next month are Eddie Lee, Richard Lee, Gareth Paddison and Paul Devenport.

- NZPA