Golf: Three players qualify for NZ Women's Open

Grace Senior in action during the women's New Zealand Strokeplay Championship. Photo / Dave Lintott

Waitangi Day certainly wasn't a holiday for New Zealand's best up and coming female golfers as 32 players went head-to-head for the remaining three spots in the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open.

A total of 12 girls shot under par to prove the quality of the field today, sadly for nine of those players it wasn't quite enough.

Grace Senior was the pick of the bunch and took all stress out of the equation as she carded an impressive 66 to win by four shots.

Senior's 66 was only one shot off the course record, set by her now rival for the weekend - world number one, Lydia Ko.

"Yeah I heard that after I came off the course which was hard to take after making bogey on 18. Obviously a few nerves, but the main thing was to qualify," said Senior.

Showing form at the right time, Senior was delighted to have played so well when it counted.

"It's nice to be in form this week in the lead up to Clearwater on Friday. I just stuck to my plans and it all went well."

After playing the front nine, then walking the back nine yesterday, it really helped with my knowledge of the course."

Waikato's Brooke Hamilton showed determination shooting a classy four under par, 70 which was enough to secure her a place in the field at Clearwater later this week.

Hamilton found it hard to hide her emotions after realising she would be playing in the country's biggest tournament.

"I am very happy right now, it was a nervous wait but all worth it," said Hamilton.

"I wasn't coming all this way with the family not to qualify, so it's pretty pleasing."

"I can't wait to play alongside the best in the business this week."

Shandon Golf Club will be all smiles as their own, Je Yeong Lee was the third and final player to qualify for the ISPS New Zealand Women's Open.

Lee showed patience around the beautiful Christchurch Golf Club to shoot 71 and earn her spot by just one shot, denying multiple players who shot 72.

The ISPS New Zealand Women's Open tee's off this Friday at the Clearwater Golf Club.