Golf: NZ Open field boosted after Australians lose Tour cards

Former Australian Open champion Greg Chalmers, a United States PGA Tour regular for five years, has confirmed his entry for next month's New Zealand Open at The Grange.

Tournament organisers have been the major beneficiary for the 87th Open from January 15-18, after three talented Australian players lost their US PGA Tour cards this month, including Chalmers, Matthew Goggin and Scott Laycock.

Chalmers has won more than $6 million since his elevation to the US Tour in 1999. His haul of $630,000 this year placed him at 142, not sufficient to finish in the top 125 in the rankings to retain his card. His best was seventh at the Wachovia Championship.

The Australian won the ANZ Players Championship in 1997 before his Australian Open victory in 1998, the first left-hander since 1909 to claim the title.

Chalmers gained his US PGA Tour card in 1999 and in 2000 finished in a tie for fourth with compatriot Stuart Appleby at the PGA Championship.

The following year he became just the fourth left-hander to win more than $2 million in a year.

The big-hitting Goggin cut his teeth in Europe where he gained his first win in the Dutch Open in 1996 and the Australasian Tour Championship in 1998. He won twice on the Nationwide Tour in the US to gain his full card this year, finishing one spot behind Laycock after earning $475,000. His best was 20th at the International, and was 10th in driving distance on the PGA Tour.

Laycock has enjoyed a lucrative career around the globe, including three years on the Asian Tour with one win, and three years on the Japan Tour including victory in the Bridgestone Open last year.

He gained his US Tour card at the qualifying school last year and finished 156th with $476,000. Laycock returned from the US to finish fourth in the Australian PGA Championship this month.

"The US Tour's loss is our gain in picking up players of this calibre for the Holden New Zealand Open," said tournament director Phil Aickin.

"It's unique to have five lefthanders in the field also, and that's a nice twist given that it is the last time we will see Sir Bob Charles grace the fairways at the Open.

"Overall the quality of this field is building superbly. Not only have we got most of the major Kiwi players returning home again and some in-form Japanese players, it is shaping as the strongest field of Australians to compete for some time."

The inclusion of Chalmers means there are a record five left-handers in the Holden-sponsored Open field.

He will be joined by fellow Australian Nick O'Hern and New Zealanders Gareth Paddison, Tim Wilkinson and Charles.

- NZPA