KEY POINTS:
North Harbour representative Kevin Budden chipped in for eagle on the 16th hole at Manukau yesterday on his way to heading the northern regional qualifiers for this month's $1.5 million New Zealand Open.
Budden's four-under-par 68 was matched by 19-year-old Korean professional Kim Young Wan, who has been based in Auckland of late.
Eleven players advanced from Manukau alongside 19 from the other regional qualifiers at Omanu, Shandon and Christchurch Golf Clubs. They will be joined by up to 60 previously exempt professionals and amateurs in the final qualifier at Millbrook two days before the Open.
Organisers have estimated that around 20 places will be available in the main event's field of 156.
The 21-year-old Budden from the Waitemata Club will be hoping for a repeat of last year when he advanced from the final qualifier to the Open at Gulf Harbour.
Another North Harbour golfer, 16-year-old Todd Baek from the Peninsula Club, took time out from the fifth form at Orewa College to shoot 69 and book himself a place at Millbrook.
The unluckiest player at Manukau was Andrew Kim from Aviation, who had a par round of 72 but lost a four-man play-off for the last three places.
At Omanu, Western Bay club member Kieran Muir was top qualifier with a five-under 67.
