Connor McKinney in action in round two – photo AAC
Perth’s Connor McKinney is just one off the halfway lead at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai, the 19-year-old Scottish born golfer, reeling off a round of 65 over the Dubai Creek layout to trail only China’s Bo Jin at the completion of 36 holes.
McKinney, who moved to Australia with his family six years ago, heads the six strong Australian contingent in the prestigious event in which the winner receives a start at the Masters and the Open Championship in 2022.
The highlight of McKinney’s round came at the par 5 13th where he pitched in for eagle from 103 yards and although he bogeyed the 15th to drop out of what would have been a share of the lead he is delighted with his position.
“Yes, I am just where I wanted to be after 36 holes,” said McKinney. “I got off to a pretty good start. I holed a couple of good putts. I played pretty solid and didn’t put myself in any bad positions. If I did, I recovered pretty well.
“At the start of the week, I thought it would be pretty cool (to win this event). I’m in a great position to do it but still 36 to go. Just sticking to the game plan, doing what I do.”
Although how representing Australia, McKinney’s heritage is very much Scottish, having been born and raised in Fife and having played much of his formative golf in the British Isles even in more recent years.
Just two years ago as a 17-year-old McKinney represented Great Britain and Ireland in a Boys match against Europe but he is now in the Australian camp. In 2021 McKinney has also played several events in the US where his best finish included a 3rd place finish at the Southern Amateur Championship.
Two shots behind McKinney, is yet another Perth golfer, Hayden Hopewell, who added a round of 69 to his opening 68 to be three from the lead and tied for 10th.
Victorian Lukas Michel is another shot back in a share of 15th place although the former US Mid Amateur Champion will be ruing dropping threes shots at the final two holes including a double bogey at the last after finding the water to drop four shots from the halfway lead.
All six of the Australians made the cut restricted to the leading 50 players and ties.
Andree Lautee is tied for 22nd, while Lachlan Barker and Haydn Barron are tied for 41st at 1 over and nine shots from the lead.
New Zealand’s only competitor in the event, Jimmy Zheng is also well enough placed in a share of 15th and just four from the lead. Two late birdies saw him recover from a slow start on day two for a round of even par 71 after he had opened with a round of 67 on Wednesday.
“I’m definitely going to take notes from today’s round,” said Zheng. “I’m going to work on keeping myself calm and stable, throughout the round. I started off a bit fiery, trying to make multiple birdies. It didn’t really work out that well. I will just stick to my game plan and stay calm and try to keep the ball close to the hole, while keeping it safe at the same time.”
The leader, Bo Jin is the younger brother of Cheng Jin, winner of the 2015 AAC at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong. A sophomore at Oklahoma State University, Bo also happens to be a very good friend of Rayhan Thomas, the 2018 AAC runner-up who holds the course record at Dubai Creek.
At the Mena Tour’s Dubai Creek Open in 2017, Thomas fired a 61 that included a record-breaking run of nine consecutive birdies in a professional tournament.
“I have learned a lot from Cheng but when we get to the golf course, I definitely want to beat him. When he won the championship, I was so excited because it meant that I could go to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club along with him.
“Obviously, he hasn’t told me much about this golf course but I get plenty of good insight into life and golf from him and yes, I want to win the championship like he did,” said Jin, who made five birdies on the back nine.
“The biggest change from the first round was the double bogey I made on the ninth hole yesterday. It was mental mistakes really. And I am happy that I did not repeat them today.”
World number one amateur, Japan’s Keita Nakajima, is just one off the lead and also tied for second place while two time winner of the event, Yuxin Lin, is tied for 15th and four behind the leader.
SCORES
NSW’s Kelsey Bennett two from lead at Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific
Kelsey Bennett in action this week – photo R&A Graham Uden
NSW’s Kelsey Bennett, from the Mollymook Golf Club on the South Coast, finds herself just two shots from the lead at the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Bennet who in 2021 has won the Tasmanian Open and NT Amateur Championships, kept the door open for possible success in this prestigious event as the championship enters the final 36 holes at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, home of the Abu Dhabi event on the European Tour.
Bennett who plays much of her golf as a member of the St Michael’s Golf Club in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, where she is coached by John Serhan, closed with a final nine of 32 today for a round of 67 to add to her opening 69 and she tied for 2nd place and just two behind the halfway leader, Natthakrita Vongtaveelap of Thailand.
The 21-year-old nearly missed her tee time on day one after losing concentration during her pre-round putting preparation, perhaps contributing to an early double bogey on day one so she has done well to recover and put herself in contention.
“I was struggling on the front nine,” said Bennett referring to her slow start today. “Putting just didn’t feel quite right, but I got the hang of it on the back nine. I birdied 10, and it just sort of started me off. Hit a few close wedges, which were handy.
“This is my first major amateur event, so I haven’t really thought about it too much which is obviously a good thing. So, I’ll keep it that way.”
The Sunshine Coast’s Cassie Porter is also well in the mix after consecutive rounds of 69 have her at 6 under, four off the lead but tied for 5th place.
Porter who has been away from the game through back injury for over a year returned recently and won the Keperra Bowl event in Brisbane recently.
“Yeah, it’s been alright, pretty consistent,” said Porter. “It’s all about capitalizing on opportunities when they present themselves out there. I probably could have done a little bit better today, but you can’t say you’re unhappy with a 3-under.
Perth’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard is tied for 45th after consecutive rounds of 73 and she along with Bennett and Porter are the only Australians to make the final 36 holes, albeit only just.
New Zealanders Belinda May and Caitlin Cotterill are also tied in 45th place and the only two of the five from their country to make it through.
Scores
Women’s turn at Asia Pacific Amateur Championship
Australia’s Maddison Hinson Tolchard – in practice today – photo Paul Lakatos R&A
The Middle East hosts yet another of the world’s leading amateur golf events this week when the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship is played at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Just a few days after the completion of the 12th Asia Pacific Men’s Championship for men in nearby Dubai, the women’s equivalent is played for the third occasion, Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul and Japan’s Yuka Yasuda having been the winners in the opening two stagings of the event in 2018 and 2019.
Yasuda is now playing on the Japan LPGA Tour while Thitikul has dominated the Ladies European Tour in 2021, leading its Order of Merit, winning twice and recording five top tens this year, three of those in LPGA Tour events, reflecting the role the event has already played in developing the careers of aspiring amateurs from the Asia Pacific region.
The winner of the event earns a start at the AIG Women’s Open and The Amundi Evian Championship, (both majors) and the Hana Bank Championship along with an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
While the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship for men is essentially run by Augusta National, this event comes under greater control by the R&A and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation although Augusta National do play a role in some of the funding of the event.
Five Australians and five New Zealanders get their chance in the 78 player field, the highest world ranked of them being Perth’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, although she is currently ranked 186th in the women’s world rankings.
Several higher ranked Australians were not available as they had committed for a range of reasons including attempting qualifying to play the LPGA Tour or were restricted by Covid 19 issues.
Hinson-Tolchard, who is currently studying at Oklahoma State University where she has performed with distinction, will be joined by fellow Australians, NSW’s Kelsey Bennet, and June Song (who is at Iowa State University) and Queensland’s Isabelle Taylor (Oregon State University) and Cassie Porter.
New Zealand’s highest ranked player in the field is Caitlin Maurice (studying at Sacramento State) who will be joined by Shani White (University of Louisiana) Bridget Connolly (Morehead State University) Caitlin Cotterell (Furman University in South Carolina) and Belinda May (University of South Alabama.
The event will be played from Wednesday 10th to Saturday 13th of November.
No joy for Australians at Korn Ferry Tour final qualifying
Harrison Endycott – file photo
The three Australians who attempted to gain improved status on the Korn Ferry Tour this week have failed in that quest, Jason Scrivener, Harrison Endycott and Justin Warren all finishing outside the all important top 40 who would earn at least eight guaranteed starts on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022.
Scrivener and Warren had played their way into the final via Stage Two qualifying while Endycott finished 81st in the Korn Ferry Tour in 2021 and played the Qualifying Final as a result.
All three now have conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022 and are likely assured of the occasional start via attrition but they are also eligible to attempt Monday qualifying for each event although as can be imagined that is very much a hit and miss affair.
Endycott will likely get a few additional starts to his fellow Australians because of his Korn Ferry Tour standing in 2021.
Perth’s Scrivener, who is currently in 16th place in the Road to Dubai standings on the European tour, was no doubt keen to gain access to the PGA Tour which only the Korn Ferry Tour can now provide but he could only finish 63rd this week and will no doubt focus much of his attention back in Europe next year.
Endycott, who was a member of the Australian Eisenhower Trophy winning team in Mexico in 2016, has played the Korn Ferry Tour in each of the last two years but he had a tough week finishing 80th after a fast start on Thursday.
The Sydney golfer has yet to win as a professional, but he has been three times runner-up in events on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the South American Tour but to date his professional career has not lived up to his success in amateur golf.
He will be forced to play the events in which he can gain a start and try to get others via the precarious Monday qualifying process.
Justin Warren, from Picton south and west of Sydney, did well to make the final stage but he would finish last in this week’s field and is resigned to Monday qualifying for events in 2022.
The winner of this week’s event and a golfer who earns exemption to all Korn Ferry Tour events in 2022 was Zach Fischer who interestingly enough won the Final Stage of qualifying several years ago.
Fischer had contemplated giving the game away recently but after graduating through Stage Two two weeks ago he has now earned the right to play a full season on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“I don’t know what the stats are, but I really wanted to win Q-School twice just for my mental side, said Fischer. “I haven’t won a tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour, but I’ve gotten Q-School twice. Hopefully I can change that.
“Hopefully we can win an event this next year. To win it in California and then in Georgia, all the way on the other side of the country, is really cool, too. And also it’s really cool, our head pro at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, he came from The Landings. He was at Deer Creek, had a good — had to give him a shout-out for hooking me up with some housing. What an awesome week. Can’t say enough for the golf course, the staff. It was just incredible.”
Steve Alker Confirms PGA Tour Champions card with win in Florida
Alker in full flight today – photo PGA Tour
New Zealand’s Steve Alker has continued a remarkable run on the PGA Tour Champions when breaking through for victory at the Timber Tech Championship in Boca Raton in Florida today.
Alker played his first PGA Tour Champions event in August when Monday qualifying for an event in Washington State and in each and every start since has finished inside the top ten securing a start for the following week as a result.
Alker’s victory takes him to 22nd place in the Charles Schwab Cup points standing, earning him a start at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in his home state of Phoenix but more importantly confirming his full status on the 2022 PGA Tour Champions.
Given how demanding it is just to get a start on the PGA Tour Champions never mind full status, it has been a remarkable elevation for the 50-year-old and opens the door for significant earnings over the next few years on the PGA Tour Champions, especially given a game that is built around percentages.
Alker’s final round of 68 at the Old Course at Broken Sound was confirmed with a delightful pitch from a grassy lie adjacent to the green to less than a foot and the typically understated Alker could not help but produce several fist pumps given the magnitude of what he had achieved over the last few months.
“Yeah, 50’s good. I’m still feeling pretty good, I’m in decent shape,” said Alker. It’s just exciting, a new chapter for me. Coming off the Korn Ferry Tour, I’ve been doing the hard yards there, but at the same time it was good preparation for me coming out here. As I said, all my ducks are in a row and just happened to be this week.”
“I thought, well, if I can come out and do many some Mondays, Tuesdays, do some events and try to qualify and get some events under my belt, that would be great,” added Alker when asked to assess the last three months. “To be standing here and talking to you guys with a win, it’s amazing.”
“I think it’s just all about wanting to be out here, just some good focus on trying to play some good golf. I’ve been out here amongst these guys, it’s been amazing. They’ve been so welcoming, and my game’s coming around at the right time. There’s a lot of things that have happened, just mentally in a good place, getting all the ducks in a row and boom, that’s what happened.”
Alker won by two over Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jim Furyk.
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Hillier and Windred miss European Tour cards via Challenge Tour
Blake Windred – file photo European Tour
New Zealander Daniel Hillier and New South Wales’ Blake Windred have missed out on an opportunity to earn European Tour cards for 2022 by finishing well back in the final event of the 2021 European Challenge Tour in Mallorca.
Players needed to finish inside the top 20 in the season long Road to Mallorca rankings to gain one of the highly sought-after cards for next season, but with Windred finishing 33rd in the 45 player field this week and Hillier 36th they have slipped to 41st and 23rd respectively.
Both players will earn some starts in lesser events on the European Tour but after reaching 18th in the standings following his recent win in Spain Hillier especially will be disappointed not to have played his way onto to bigger stage.
Hillier was well enough placed to consolidate his potion after an opening round of 69 this week but things would get worse from there, eventually finishing 14 shots from the winner, Marcus Helligkilde.
Windred saved his best to last, a final round of 70 improving him to 33rd this week but not enough to threaten the chance to play the European Tour.
Both players have full access to the Challenge Tour again next year mixed with some European Tour starts.
Lydia Ko’s impressive 2021 continues in Saudi Arabia
Lydia Ko – photo Ladies European Tour
Twelve months ago Lydia Ko was languishing in 40th place in the Rolex World Ranking, having slipped outside the top 50 earlier in 2020.
Today the 24-year-old New Zealander won her second tournament of 2021 and along with a remarkably consistent run this year which has seen her record another ten top tens, her emphatic victory in Saudi Arabia should see her move close to the top five in the women’s game.
Her five shot victory at the Ladies European Tour’s Saudi Ladies International adds another US$130,000 to her bank account but importantly has her continued her return to the top of the world ranking, a position she last held in June of 2017 after becoming the youngest ever No 1 in 2015.
The event was a Ladies European Tour event, but it featured several LPGA Tour players, the US$1 million purse and no doubt an appearance fee of some sort for a player of Ko’s calibre, an attraction to an event being played in a region where controversy reigns in terms of that country’s involvement in international professional sport.
Ko, however, dominated the tournament from day one, sharing the lead first round lead with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, leading by two after day two and then leading by four after her third round of 63 split the field apart.
Taking a four-shot lead over the brilliant Thai youngster and the LET’s dominant player in 2021, Atthaya Thitikul, into today’s final round, Ko closed the door completely with an outward nine of 31 and although Thitikul herself had reached the turn in 32, it was essentially all over by then.
“When I was out there, I was just trying to play the best golf that I can,” said Ko. “I knew a lot of the top names were playing really well and this is a golf course where there’s a fair amount of birdies, so I was just trying to have my fair share of them and have fun out there.
“It helps when you’re going into the final round with a four-shot cushion, you could shoot the same score as others, but you have those shots from the last three days.
“I birdied the first hole and holed two really good putts for par on two and three which really set the momentum up, and from there I tried not to look back and just go forward.”
Thitikul confirmed her standing as the winner of the Race to Costa Del Sol the Ladies European Tour’s and her place as the 2021 Rookie of the Year on the LET.
West Australian Whitney Hillier finished in a share of 5th place this week, New South Wales’s Stephanie Kyriacou was tied for 7th and Minjee Lee 7th and Amy Walsh 63rd.
The Ladies European Tour has just one more event to play, that being the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana in two weeks’ time.
SCORES
Keita Nakajima claims Japan’s 4th Asia Pacific Amateur Championship
Keita Nakajima – photo courtesy of AAC
Japan’s Keita Nakajima has claimed a fourth Asia Pacific Amateur Championship for his country and became the third player from Japan to win the coveted title with a playoff victory over Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho in Dubai.
Both players had completed the 72 holes at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club at 14 under par but Nakajima, the No 1 ranked male amateur in the world, secured the title when he holed a 25 foot birdie at the second extra hole after Kho had found the water from a fairway bunker.
21 year old, Nakajima, joins Hideki Matsuyama (twice) and Takumi Kanaya on the honours list for Japan, taking that country ahead of China (3) as the nation with the most success in the 12 occasions the event has been played.
Amongst the many titles Nakajima has to his name in amateur golf is the 2018 Australian Amateur Championship which he won at Lake Karrinyup in Perth but he also won an event on the Japan Golf Tour this year when successful at the Panasonic Open two months ago.
“I am very proud of what I have achieved,” said the winner. “To follow in the footsteps of Hideki-san and Takumi feels great.”
“I am so excited that I will be playing three majors in 2022 (he is also exempt for the U.S. Open as part of winning the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the men’s World No. 1 in 2021 WAGR ®). I am very thankful to the tournament for giving us such great opportunities,” added Nakajima, who finished joint runner-up behind Kanaya in the 2018 edition in Singapore.
Nakajima threatened to run away with the title when he established an early three shot lead on day four but a bogey at the 6th was followed soon after by a double at the 9th and with Kho putting together a stunning round of 65 to follow his 64 on Friday the Hong Kong golfer, who studies at Notre dame University in the US, took the lead when he birdied the 11th to move ahead.
Kho was unable to secure the one extra birdie he needed to take the title however and when Nakajima recovered to birdie the 11th, 13th and 14th the pair headed for extra holes. Both parred the par 4 18th at the first playoff hole but when Kho, was awkwardly placed in the fairway bunker, found the water guarding the front of the green at the second and could mange no better than double bogey, it was all over.
The victory is further success for Japanese amateur golf and there is a strong Australian connection in that success as Adelaide’s Gareth Jones is the National Coach for Japan. Jones also guided one of the two Australians to win the event, Anthony Murdaca, when he won at Royal Melbourne in 2014.
Kho who attends Notre Dame University in the US was clearly disappointed not to claim to spoils of victory but was proud of what he had achieved, his performance the best by a Hong Kong player in the 12-year history of the event.
“I was three back and I knew the guys in the last group had the potential for going deep. I just knew if I focus on my own game, I could post a low one out there and I did exactly that. I just made a string of birdies and by the time I knew it I was in the lead with three to go. That was nerve-racking but at the same time I feel like I’ve prepared for that pretty well,” said Kho, ranked No. 220 in the WAGR®.
“I felt more comfortable this time. To be able to play well down the stretch gives me a lot of confidence going forward. I hit the shots I needed to hit. If I had the same shot again, I would choose the same club and thought process. I just didn’t execute this time. Keita won with a birdie so I have no regrets with that decision.”
Victorian Andre Lautee was the leading Australian after a superb final 36 holes of 66 and 68 today to finish in a share of 7th with defending champion Yuxin Lin.
“I was quite happy with today’s finish. Played pretty solid. A lot of good shots out there. It was great the last two days to be able to post a few good scores,” said Lautee.
“It’s a world-class event. It’s nothing like I’ve ever played before. It’s perfectly run. The players get looked after so well. I’m looking forward to playing it again next year.”
Perth’s Connor McKinney was 18th, Perth’s Haydn Barron 21st, Victorian Lukas Michel, Perth’s Hayden Hopewell 26th and Adelaide’s Lachlan Barker 31st.
Jimmy Zheng was the only New Zealander in the event and finished 36th.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Zheng. “I learned a lot this week about my game and how I should prepare better next time. It was definitely a grind out there today.
“I’m going to work my butt off over the off-season at Duke. I’ll really get my game in the place I want it to be and hopefully come back again next year to grab that trophy.”
SCORES
Perth’s Connor McKinney one behind at Asia Pacific Amateur
Connor McKinney in action in round two – photo AAC
Perth’s Connor McKinney is just one off the halfway lead at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai, the 19-year-old Scottish born golfer, reeling off a round of 65 over the Dubai Creek layout to trail only China’s Bo Jin at the completion of 36 holes.
McKinney, who moved to Australia with his family six years ago, heads the six strong Australian contingent in the prestigious event in which the winner receives a start at the Masters and the Open Championship in 2022.
The highlight of McKinney’s round came at the par 5 13th where he pitched in for eagle from 103 yards and although he bogeyed the 15th to drop out of what would have been a share of the lead he is delighted with his position.
“Yes, I am just where I wanted to be after 36 holes,” said McKinney. “I got off to a pretty good start. I holed a couple of good putts. I played pretty solid and didn’t put myself in any bad positions. If I did, I recovered pretty well.
“At the start of the week, I thought it would be pretty cool (to win this event). I’m in a great position to do it but still 36 to go. Just sticking to the game plan, doing what I do.”
Although how representing Australia, McKinney’s heritage is very much Scottish, having been born and raised in Fife and having played much of his formative golf in the British Isles even in more recent years.
Just two years ago as a 17-year-old McKinney represented Great Britain and Ireland in a Boys match against Europe but he is now in the Australian camp. In 2021 McKinney has also played several events in the US where his best finish included a 3rd place finish at the Southern Amateur Championship.
Two shots behind McKinney, is yet another Perth golfer, Hayden Hopewell, who added a round of 69 to his opening 68 to be three from the lead and tied for 10th.
Victorian Lukas Michel is another shot back in a share of 15th place although the former US Mid Amateur Champion will be ruing dropping threes shots at the final two holes including a double bogey at the last after finding the water to drop four shots from the halfway lead.
All six of the Australians made the cut restricted to the leading 50 players and ties.
Andree Lautee is tied for 22nd, while Lachlan Barker and Haydn Barron are tied for 41st at 1 over and nine shots from the lead.
New Zealand’s only competitor in the event, Jimmy Zheng is also well enough placed in a share of 15th and just four from the lead. Two late birdies saw him recover from a slow start on day two for a round of even par 71 after he had opened with a round of 67 on Wednesday.
“I’m definitely going to take notes from today’s round,” said Zheng. “I’m going to work on keeping myself calm and stable, throughout the round. I started off a bit fiery, trying to make multiple birdies. It didn’t really work out that well. I will just stick to my game plan and stay calm and try to keep the ball close to the hole, while keeping it safe at the same time.”
The leader, Bo Jin is the younger brother of Cheng Jin, winner of the 2015 AAC at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong. A sophomore at Oklahoma State University, Bo also happens to be a very good friend of Rayhan Thomas, the 2018 AAC runner-up who holds the course record at Dubai Creek.
At the Mena Tour’s Dubai Creek Open in 2017, Thomas fired a 61 that included a record-breaking run of nine consecutive birdies in a professional tournament.
“I have learned a lot from Cheng but when we get to the golf course, I definitely want to beat him. When he won the championship, I was so excited because it meant that I could go to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club along with him.
“Obviously, he hasn’t told me much about this golf course but I get plenty of good insight into life and golf from him and yes, I want to win the championship like he did,” said Jin, who made five birdies on the back nine.
“The biggest change from the first round was the double bogey I made on the ninth hole yesterday. It was mental mistakes really. And I am happy that I did not repeat them today.”
World number one amateur, Japan’s Keita Nakajima, is just one off the lead and also tied for second place while two time winner of the event, Yuxin Lin, is tied for 15th and four behind the leader.
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New Zealand PGA Championship back on Australasian Tour schedule
Gulf Harbour Country Club
The news today that the time-honoured New Zealand PGA Championship will return to the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule in 2022 is welcome given the impact Covid 19 has had on tournament golf in Australasia.
With both the New Zealand Open and the NZPGA Championship now confirmed for the 2022 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule, New Zealand golf provides a shining beacon, especially given the pressure Australian events have come under because of the Covid pandemic.
The NZPGA will be played from April 7th – 10th at the Gulf Harbour Country Club on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula just north of Auckland, a venue which last held a PGA Tour of Australasia event in 2006 when Australian Nathan Green won the second and last of two New Zealand Opens held at the venue.
The event follows immediately after the New Zealand Open in Queenstown in the south of the country providing a two-week window of tournament golf in New Zealand.
All this is of course subject to, hopefully, easing Covid restrictions but with still nearly five months to play out before the events there is reason to believe the tournaments will go ahead as planned.
The New Zealand PGA Championship was last played as a PGA Tour of Australasia event in 2019 when amateur Kazuma Kobori took the title although earlier this year the event was staged at the Te Puke Golf Club in the Bay of Plenty when former Australian Amateur champion Tae Koh was successful.
The event carries a long and storied history with some of the game’s finest players including Kel Nagle (4 times), Peter Thomson, Sir Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Jumbo Ozaki, Bruce Crampton, Graham Marsh and three-time winner, John Lister amongst the winners.
“We are delighted to partner with Auckland Unlimited, Gulf Harbour Country Club and The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia in staging this important event on the New Zealand golf calendar,” says PGANZ President Dennis M Clark.
“The event is a key vehicle to deliver on the vision of PGA Professionals, inspiring more people to play this great game. We have so many talented players and it’s exciting that Kiwis will get to experience and witness this up close.
“Over the years we have taken the tournament around New Zealand and seen first-hand the excitement it creates – at the host club, the golfing community and in the local region, with this Championship testament to this with Tae Koh putting on a showcase of golfing excellence with great crowds of supporters enjoying the event which was held at the Te Puke golf course.
“We plan to bring a top-class field of players to Auckland, one week after the New Zealand Open Championship in Queenstown.”
“The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is excited to again have the NZ PGA Championship part of the tour schedule and to have back to back events in New Zealand for the first time since 2019 is something I know all of our members will be looking forward to,” says Nick Dastey, Tournaments Director Australasia at the PGA Tour of Australsia.”
The Robert Trent Jones Jr designed layout at Gulf Harbour was also used as the venue for the 1998 World Cup of Golf.
Scrivener and Warren chasing high priority on Korn Ferry Tour
Jason Scrivener – file photo Bruce Young
The final stage of qualifying for the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour begins in Georgia on Thursday and while all 149 of those who have made it to the final are assured of some level of status on the Korn Ferry Tour next season there is still a lot to play for this week.
The final finishing positions in this week’s 72 hole event will determine just where players stand in regards to their priority ranking on what is essentially the ‘feeder’ tour for the 2023 PGA tour.
The following outlines just what is being played for at the Landings Club in Savannah.
Two Australasians have made it into the final field following the completion of Stage Two Qualifying two weeks ago and they will be joined by another who qualifies for the final via this year’s Korn ferry Tour.
Perth’s Jason Scrivener and Sydney’s Justin Warren have done well to earn a card of some sort but their task this week will be to finish as high up to ensure as many guaranteed starts as possible in order to position themselves for one of the 25 2023 PGA Tour cards handed out at the completion of the regular 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season.
Scrivener has continued to build on his impressive European Tour record in 2021 and currently stands in 15th place in the Road to Dubai, thus qualifying to play the season ending DP World Championship in two weeks’ time.
Scrivener has yet to win on the European Tour but has been runner-up (Abu Dhabi) and 3rd (Denmark) this season, highlighting the progression he has made and the quality of player he is.
Warren, from Picton just outside of Sydney, played collegiate golf in the USA in both Arizona and Arkansas before qualifying to play the PGA Tour of Australasia while still an amateur.
Like so many other young players at his stage of a professional career, however, the 26 year old has been hamstrung by the lack of opportunities Covid has caused although earlier this year he did finish runner-up in one of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Tier Two events, the Moonah Links PGA Classic.
Harrison Endycott was a member of Australia’s Eisenhower Trophy winning team in 2016 but has struggled to make the immediate progress in the professional ranks that many felt he would although as a result of finishing inside the top 100 on this season’s Korn Ferry Tour points table he is already assured of reasonable status next season but is no doubt looking for a greater level of surety in terms of starts in 2022.
Endycott has failed to make the weekend in his last ten starts in 2021 but he has shown enough on occasions over his four years in professional golf to suggest he will make the grade eventually.