Daniel Pearce has the chance to create history at the Autex Muriwai Open this week as he aims to record three Jennian Homes Charles Tour victories in a row (his career fourth).
It would be quite fitting if the 29-year-old was to achieve this on Sunday afternoon, with his maiden
victory being right here at Muriwai Open three years ago, which will be remembered for his opening round of 65 in treacherous conditions that included multiple suspensions in play.
With a tournament total of 19-under par at the Akarana Open last week, it has certainly sent a message to the field as we enter the final stretch of the 2017/18 season.
"I feel like my game is in a good place and its always nice to return to an event you have won before," said Pearce.
"I have been looking forward to the final three Jennian Homes Charles Tour events and have set some clear goals, so it would be amazing to make it three on the trot."
It has been typical links golf weather leading into the event, with players and even club members having to get pulled from the course today, but the weather is only meant to improve.
"Hopefully my driver can come to the party this week and make things a bit easier, but I love the challenge of links golf and it wont worry me if the wind picks up a bit."
Pearce will also be trying to repeat what the defending champion Gareth Paddison did this time last year, by winning at both Akarana and Muriwai. But with Paddison finishing runner-up last week, he certainly poses the biggest threat and will be trying keep his small piece of history in check.
New Zealand stalwart Peter Fowler, who has spent most of his career across the Tasman, will also return to the Jennian Homes Charles Tour after a long stint overseas.
After winning the Mercer Senior Classic at Killara Golf Club on the Legends Tour in Australia just last week, he is in dangerous form. He also came tied second on the European Stay Sure Tour only a month ago, proving that he is still a force, especially on the national circuit.
The former New Zealand Open and Australian Open champion will tee off at 8:05am on Sunday as he looks to set the pace at the Autex Muriwai Open.
Mark Brown, Jang Hyun Lee, Kevin Koong and Ryan Chisnall also look to back up their recent form and spoil the Pearce party this week as their continued consistency hasnt gone unnoticed.
This event naturally plays a huge part in the race to the Jennian Homes Trophy where vital points will be on the line ahead of the Carrus Open in Tauranga next week.
With two wins on the bounce, Pearce clearly leads and is hot favourite to take out the main prize with the consistent Harry Bateman in second place. Although Gareth Paddison is also in pursuit, he is sadly going to miss the Carrus Open which will cost him the chance to defend his Jennian Homes Trophy title.
The exciting young duo of Akarana Open Champion Vivian Lu and Darae Chung return for another week as they look to back up their tense finish where Lu claimed the biggest win of her career in the womens field.
It only gets harder for these two with both a stronger field and harsher weather predicted out at the Muriwai Beach Golf Club.
The return of Munchin Keh has bolstered the field as she plays in her first Jennian Homes Charles Tour event as a professional this week.
After turning professional last year, she has been plying her trade on the China Tour and is aiming to build on a very new professional career which is developing well. She will have her eyes set on only the top of the leaderboard this Sunday.
Brittney Dryland also continues to pose a huge threat with her recent consistency and one feels it is only a matter of time before she claims her second Jennian Homes Charles Tour event.
FULL TEE TIMES HERE
Once again Asahi have got on board to provide their always exciting prize of a years supply of Asahi beer (52 dozen) for the lowest round of the week. This reward always creates hype around the course and at times even distracts golfers from the main event.
The second event of our three-week stretch will get underway from 7:15am as we search for our 2018 Autex Muriwai Open champion.
- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ
Pearce aims for three-peat at Muriwai Open
Daniel Pearce has the chance to create history at the Autex Muriwai Open this week as he aims to record three Jennian Homes Charles Tour victories in a row (his career fourth).
It would be quite fitting if the 29-year-old was to achieve this on Sunday afternoon, with his maiden
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