Golf: Hendry joins strong field at Wairakei

Michael Hendry. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A break in the Asian golf circuit has resulted in a strengthened field for the Wairakei Open starting today near Taupo.

The tournament marks the start of the spring series on the domestic Charles Tour, a joint initiative by New Zealand Golf and the New Zealand Professional Golfers' Association offering a $40,000 purse for this country's professionals and leading amateurs.

The professional field is headed by Michael Hendry, who returns to the tour after a breakthrough victory at the Indonesia Open - among three top-10 finishes on the OneAsia Tour that has seen him jump to fourth in the rankings.

Other OneAsia regulars competing at Wairakei International include 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce, former European Tour player Gareth Paddison and Josh Carmichael.

Hendry is keen to return to competition after a holiday break. He has not finished inside the top 10 at the Wairakei Open in four attempts, with his best placing being 11th in 2006 and he was tied for 12th last year.

Hendry heads a cast of professionals which also includes Grant Moorhead, Marcus Wheelhouse, Troy Ropiha, Andrew Searle and Stuart Reese.

It is an important week for the amateurs, with the world championship-bound trio of Ryan Fox, Lydia Ko and Caroline Bon using the event as preparation for next month's Eisenhower Trophy and Espirito Santo Trophy events.

- NZPA