Golf: Few Kiwis in Open qualifiers

Gareth Paddison. Photo / Simon Baker

Just two New Zealand golfers will line up tomorrow in the final stage of qualifying for the British Open.

Although being staged in Melbourne, only Gareth Paddison and Josh Geary will be in the 44 strong field, headed by Australian Adam Bland.

Paddison says flying to Australia for the tournament is too risky for most financially. He says it will cost about $2,000 to compete and he will not get a cent from it.

Paddison says with only the top three qualifying for the Open, many players will want the money in the bank and play tournaments closer to home, where a pay cheque is assured.

The 29-year-old is not overly optimistic of his own chances of making the top three. However, Paddison says he is going in open minded, and is just please to be getting three rounds in before the NZ PGA and the New Zealand Open later this month.

- NEWSTALK ZB