NZ Open - Six to watch

European Tour stays in the Southern hemisphere

Last updated: 30th November 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

NZ Open - Six to watch

Wakefield: Chasing maiden victory on Tour

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The European Tour remains in the Southern Hemisphere for this week's Michael Hills New Zealand Open.

After a week living in the Australian city of Melbourne, the golfers now switch their attentions to Queenstown in New Zealand which will be hosting a European Tour event for the third time.

However, this week's field - at Hills Golf Club- is one of the weakest ever to grace the Tour.

With regards to attracting big name players, the New Zealand Open is hardly in a position to compete with the Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge which also starts this Thursday at Sun City in South Africa.

The only former Major champion teeing-up in Queenstown will be home favourite Michael Campbell whose recent form has hardly been sparkling.

No longer a member of the world's top 100, the 2005 US Open winner could only finish 55th in this year's European Order of Merit.

The 38-year-old Kiwi, who will attract much of the local support, is seeking his first national open title for seven years.

So who else is chasing New Zealand's biggest prize this week?

Kim Felton: The 32-year-old is yet to fulfil his potential but is, at least, one of the better known Aussies taking part.

Richard Finch: The former English Amateur champion posted a top-10 finish in last week's Mastercard Masters at Huntingdale - despite compiling a poor final round.

Marcus Fraser: A European Tour winner from 2003, the 29-year-old from New South Wales tied-for-10th in Melbourne on Sunday.

Peter O`Malley: Is arguably the favourite for this week's title. Twice an Australasian Tour winner in New Zealand, the Australian veteran finished fourth last week after posting back-to-back 67s in rounds three and four.

Terry Pilkadaris: The up-and-coming Aussie has made a name for himself on the Asian Tour in recent years. Tied-15th last week in Melbourne.

Simon Wakefield: One of the better players yet to win on the European Tour. The Staffordshire pro lost a play-off to Marc Warren at Gleneagles in September. Has banked more than £1m in prize money during his career.

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