Golf: Australian joins NZ Open list

Australian golfer Ian Baker-Finch, the 1991 British Open champion, will line up for this month's New Zealand Open at The Grange.

Baker-Finch, aged 40, sparked his international career with victory in the Open at Middlemore in 1983.

His career was highlighted with victory in the British Open nearly 10 years ago, with his last international win in the 1993 Australian PGA.

But his career plummeted with one of the most graphic slumps in form of any golfer. Baker-Finch has since been involved in a successful career in television golf commentary in Australia and the United States before deciding to make a competitive return to the sport.

He confirmed his entry yesterday along with another successful Australian, Terry Price.

Price, 40, is no stranger to success at The Grange, having won the Air New Zealand Shell Open at the south Auckland course in 1993.

The final two exempt players will be announced next week.

Meanwhile 169 New Zealand players begin their quest for qualification for the final 30 spots in the tournament with three pre-qualifying tournaments on Monday.

The top 30 players from the three tournaments join 14 exempt players for the qualifying tournament at Middlemore on January 15.