5 Feb 2013

Koreans dominate qualifying for NZ Open

6:06 am on 5 February 2013

Five Korean golf professionals dominated the Final Qualifying event for the New Zealand Women's Open in testing conditions at the Christchurch Golf Club.

Twenty four golfers were playing for the six remaining places in the fifth edition of the national championship to be staged at the Clearwater Golf Club which tees off on Friday.

Heiji Kim won the event by two shots when she carded a seven under par 67 to secure her place in style.

Laura Hoskin, who starred for Otago in the Women's Interprovincial last year at St Clair, was the sole Kiwi to make the cut.

The NZ Open has attracted a world-class field including three of the previous four champions of the event and World number 1 amateur Lydia Ko.

Australian Lindsey Wright is unable to defend her title after withdrawing with injury.

Also in the field for the championship at the Clearwater Golf Club are former major champions Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson (both of Sweden).

World No.16 Angela Stanford and Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger Woods, are other notable players in a field that will include 32 LPGA Tour Players.

The all-star cast will also include European No. 1 Carlota Ciganda. It is the strongest field ever assembled for the NZ Women's Open.