Golf: Pro-am hopes swap clubs for cars at New Zealand Open

L_R Ricky Ponting, Michael Hendry, Stephen Fleming, Hayden Paddon and Michael Campbell as part of Paddon's Hyundai Challenge at Highlands Park. Photo: photosport.nz

Fast cars and young stars of the future attracted the interest of golfers in Queenstown today, building up to this week's New Zealand Open.

Defending champion Michael Hendry, cricketers Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting, along with former US Open winner Michael Campbell, donned race suits and helmets to compete in the Hyundai Challenge at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell.

They were up against the clock in a Hyundai i30N, combined with their best lap time in a Highlands Kart, all under the eye of World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon.

Competitive streaks came to the fore with combined times of 1.4s between the fastest and slowest of the four.

Hendry took out top spot from Ponting by 0.05s, despite blowing a tyre and taking out cones on his Hyundai lap.

"There was a lot of carnage there," he said, only admitting to some experience on race and kart tracks after he'd won.

"This is one of the best tracks in the country, if not the world, and all I wanted to do was not make myself look like an idiot."

Paddon played pace man on the celebrity laps, admitting he was "not entirely comfortable".

"I haven't sat in the passenger seat for about 10 years, so you all scared the s**t out of me," he joked.

Back in Queenstown, Ryan Fox and his Dad, former All Black Grant, had a rousing reception when they visited 600 students at Remarkables Primary School.

The pair fielded questions from students asking what inspired them to achieve their goals, why Ryan chose golf instead of rugby and top preparation tips for tournaments and matches.

"I've always dreamed of being a sportsman, and after playing rugby and cricket since a young age, I started tournament golf when I was 18," Ryan told the students.

"It's a chase for perfection as you don't always have the perfect shot or play the game perfectly.

"I'm feeling confident for the Open this weekend. You've just got to go out there and believe you can do it."

Wrapping up the meet and greet, Grant shared some wisdom.

"Not everyone can become the number one sports star, so if you look in the mirror and know you've tried your hardest, that's all that matters."

The New Zealand Open begins on Thursday with a round alternately at Millbrook Resort and The Hills before a cut to the top 60 players plus ties to contest the final two rounds at Millbrook.