Golf: Edwards looms as favourite

Landyn Edwards is one of the top contenders heading into the Danny Lee Springfield Open this weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker

New Zealand's fastest golfer Landyn Edwards is the only 2016 starter to have previously tasted a win in the annual Danny Lee Springfield Open.

The seasoned Bay of Plenty amateur representative, who won the New Zealand Speed Golf Championship last year, looms as the possible man to beat in this weekend's 54-hole event at Springfield Golf Club in Rotorua.

Edwards won the Danny Lee title in 2012 and 2014 and if he can stick to that biennial timing the 25-year-old, who finished 18th at the 2015 World Speed Golf Championships, could have his hands on the silverware once again on Sunday afternoon.

A win would make Edwards the most successful player in the tournament's 10 years with now professional Danny Lee and Zoe-Beth Brake and Brittany Dryland the only other multiple winners with two each.

Playing in Hawaii this weekend, Lee continues to support the event with his financial contribution, enabling the club where he crafted his game to put on a tournament for some of the country's most promising amateurs.

Tournament director Craig Tiriana said the club was indebted to Lee's ongoing commitment to the game in his former home town.

"It was Danny's vision for the club to provide a tournament that encourages young players to get a taste of what competition golf is all about," Tiriana said.

"The last three years the tournament has been oversubscribed and it has become a must-play among many of the rising golfers, especially those in the upper North Island.

"Danny is very proud of the event, the club is very proud to host the event for him and for the competitors."

The field has attracted 12 golfers on plus handicaps with Muriwai's Eon Jeonghyeon the lowest at plus four.

There are also a host of current and former Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland, North Harbour and Northland representatives in the field.

A highlight this year is the number of female entrants with 25 making the entry cut-off.

"I think we have to also say thank you to world No 1 Lydia Ko for providing a profile of New Zealand golf which has seen this number of females enter - it's by far the most we have had in this event," Tiriana said.

A couple of Springfield hopes are Jordan Canning and Rotana Howard who are looking to become the first winners from the host club since Peter Lee back in 2010.

- Play gets under way from 7.30am tomorrow with 36 holes and the final 18 holes to be played on Sunday.