Golf: Nine-under record for qualifier

A course record nine-under 63 at Manukau yesterday propelled trainee professional Stuart Thompson into the final field for the New Zealand Open.

Thompson was the top qualifier from the 30 who survived the final elimination at the Manukau Golf Club.

They will complete the field of 156 for the Open, from Thursday to Sunday at The Grange.

Of the 71 hopefuls at Manukau, 28 players bettered the par of 72 to earn places in the Open field.

Eight players who finished on par went into a sudden-death playoff for the last two positions, and birdies on the first hole secured Auckland professional Bryce Mawhinney and last year's Hawkes Bay leading amateur, Richard Squire, those spots.

Thompson, from Hokitika, was a former Tasman and Wellington amateur representative before turning professional in 1991.

His undoubted talent has not always been reflected in the pay cheques he has won and he took a break from the game, returning to work in a bank.

Since taking a trainee apprenticeship under seasoned Dennis Sullivan at The Grange course, Thompson has become more aware of the game's mechanics and less prone to panic should a faulty shot occur.

His was a flawless round - nine birdies, nine pars - and his 63, one under the old course record, could have been two better as he missed two good putting opportunities.

Just before Thompson finished, New South Wales professional Brad McIntosh had matched the course record. His 64 included six birdies and an eagle at the 458m par-five 16th.

McIntosh, from Woollongong, played in last year's New Zealand Open but missed the cut.

That was the start of a lean year for him. He was back to the Australasian Tour's qualifying school in 2003, but did not get his card. But he believes he is coming out of his slump and that his greater experience will help him at The Grange this week.

Queensland amateur Gavin Flint was in hot form, carding 65, and among the four players on 67 was former Rotorua Boys' High School star Sam Hunt, back on holiday after spending three months at the University of Las Vegas where he is on a four-year golfing scholarship.

Hunt, who returns to the United States on Monday, said he played conservatively, but the former New Zealand amateur stroke champion was in a relaxed mood and made the most of being given an exemption to the final stage.

The youngest in the Open field will again be Rotorua golfer Jae An, 15, who shot a two-under 70 yesterday to finish in equal 13th place.

The Bay of Plenty representative became the youngest player in Open history to make the final field as a 13-year-old in 2002 at Paraparaumu.

* Michael Campbell will now wear a New Zealand brand on courses around the world after signing a contract with Kia Kaha.

Campbell opted off an agreement with Nike after eight years.

He will debut the clothing in Wednesday's pro-am at The Grange.