KEY POINTS:
Australian Katherine Hull, ranked 30th in the world, has been confirmed for next month's inaugural New Zealand Women's Open in Christchurch.
Hull, 26, made her breakthrough win on the US LPGA Tour this year and has eight top-10 finishes that earned her nearly $2 million.
She is the first world-class player to sign up for the Open to be played at the Clearwater course from January 30 to February 2.
Hull, in her fifth year on the world's richest tour for women, had her breakthrough victory in the Canadian Women's Open last August. It sparked a superb finish to the season with six of Hull's eight top-10 finishes coming in an eight-week run from mid-August.
New Zealand Golf chief executive Bill MacGowan said Hull's signing was "absolutely excellent news" for the Open.
"Katherine's win on the LPGA this year makes her truly world class. She finished 13th on the LPGA money list this year which makes her one of the best players in the world this year," he said.
Her late season run included a second, a fourth, a sixth and a seventh.
"It's actually addictive when you start to see your name up on the leaderboard," Hull said.
"But it's not something I got carried away by - it actually makes you work harder because you realise how much you want to do it and see it up there again."
Hull said she was keen to add to her winning run in New Zealand.
"I came to New Zealand for the first time last year on holiday and it's probably my favourite place on earth right now," she said.
"I am really looking forward to playing there and to win the very first New Zealand Open would be fantastic."
MacGowan said NZG was confident of signing more quality players ranked in the world's top 100.
- NZPA
