Rotorua's Danny Lee golf tournament attracts bumper field

Auckland's Carmen Lim won the Danny Lee Springfield Open in 2017 and is back to defend her title this weekend. Photo / File

The tournament named after one of Rotorua's finest golfing exports has attracted one of its strongest fields yet.

This weekend's 54-hole Danny Lee Springfield Open in Rotorua has attracted some of New Zealand's top amateur golfers who are taking the opportunity to play where New Zealand's top ranked professional Danny Lee shaped his game.

The handicap cut-off for the 96-strong field has fallen at six and there are 32 women in the field - a number never reached previously in this event.

"When this tournament was created and Danny added his support, the idea was to give tournament play to the country's rising talent to replace the now defunct New Zealand under-23 events," tournament director Craig Tiriana said.

"With Lydia Ko and Danny flying the flag for New Zealand golfers on the world stage it appears that the youngsters are taking up the golfing challenge back here and Danny would, and should, be very proud of that.

"Springfield Golf Club is very proud it can help Danny by putting on an event in his name and continuing his great legacy and connection to New Zealand, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua golf."

Last year's Danny Lee Springfield Open winner Charlie Smail, of Walton, is back to defend his title this weekend. Photo / File

Lee, a regular on the US PGA Tour, won the Springfield event twice before turning professional back in 2009 and has financially supported it since.

Both of last year's champions, Charlie Smail (+1.4) and Carmen Lim (+.5), are entered in this year's event, which may provide a different challenge than traditionally seen due to the recent and expected wet weather.

Most of the tournament's 12 years have seen a baked and bouncy par 70 layout at Springfield but the wet weather has the course lush and playing all of its length.

There are 39 golfers with handicaps of scratch or better in the draw, including New Zealand's top ranked female amateur Ayean Cho of Sherwood Park on a stunning +6.5 handicap. Others to watch in the women's field include two-time winner Brittany Dryland (+2.1) and Ina Yoon (+4.2).

Te Puke's Harry Hillier is the lowest men's marker on +3.4, heading a four-pronged title attack from the University of Kansas where he is based with his brother Charlie (+1.5) and fellow Jayhawks Dan Hudson (+2) and Andy Spencer (+2).

Play gets under way at Springfield Golf Club tomorrowat 7.30am. There will be 36 holes played on Saturday with the final 18 scheduled for Sunday from 8am. Spectators are welcome.