KEY POINTS:
Former New Zealand representative Jae An, the youngest ever player to make the cut at the New Zealand Open, is back to qualify as a professional.
The 18-year-old is one of 150 players chasing their dream of playing in this month's New Zealand Open, in four regional qualifying events around the country this Friday.
He will compete in the biggest of the regional fields at Manukau Golf Club this Friday, with the other regional qualifying events in Pupuke (North Harbour), Manor Park (Wellington) and Christchurch Golf Club.
Jae An has been playing on the Gateway Tour in the United States this year. He will take part in a 59-strong field at Manukau with other leading hopes include professionals Reon Sayer and former New Zealand cricket international Alex Tait.
The top amateurs include New Zealand junior representative Sam Shin, Waikato representative Jim Cusdin and exciting teenager and Auckland matchplay champion Seve Ha.
Thirty players from the regional events will go through to the final qualifying at Manukau Golf Club in late November.
They will be joined by exempt players who will chase eight places in the final field for the New Zealand Open starting at Gulf Harbour on Thursday November 30 to Sunday December 3.
- NEWSTALK ZB