Golf:Australian wonder boy destined for NZ Open

Golf's latest teenage sensation, Australian Aaron Baddeley, is booked to play in the New Zealand Open in January.

Baddeley became the youngest winner of the Australian Open on Sunday and also the first amateur to capture the title in 39 years when he beat home a quality field featuring former world No 1 Greg Norman, Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and New Zealand's Michael Long and Michael Campbell.

And yesterday, New Zealand Open director Phil Aickin confirmed that the Melbourne golf prodigy, considered among the top three amateurs in the world, would be among the field at Paraparaumu for the January 20-23 tournament.

"He showed an interest to play in the Open some weeks ago," Aickin said. "I knew of his undoubted abilities and, along with co-tournament organisers IMG, I had no qualms about arranging a sponsors' exemption so he could play here."

Baddeley, who would have won $A180,000 ($225,000) as a pro for his victory at Royal Sydney, said he would stick to his amateur programme in Australasia and Europe until at least August when he will rethink his future.

"I'll keep working hard on my game and I'll improve," he said. "Hopefully I'll turn professional and I won't have to worry about money."

But according to his peers, money is unlikely to be a problem for a teenager who has his set his sights on surpassing Tiger Woods as world No 1.

Fellow countryman Norman was full of praise for Baddeley and his age-defying personality.

"When I spoke to Aaron earlier in the tournament you could tell. He had the gleam in his eye and I knew he was going to be hard to beat."

And New Zealand's Long was someone who said he knew of Baddeley's potential well before this week.

"I played with him in South Australia I think two years ago now and he just played awesome there. I think he shot 68 and could just as easily have been 64 if he was luckier. He's awesome."

Meanwhile, at least seven of the players who finished in the top 20 in the Australian Open will appear at Paraparaumu - Baddeley, Campbell, Long, left-hander Nick O'Hern, Paul Gow, Jarrod Moseley and former New Zealand Open champion Peter O'Malley.

Englishmen David Carter and Anthony Wall, and Swede Pierre Fulke have also entered.

Among the New Zealanders confirmed for the tournament are defending champion Matthew Lane, Greg Turner, David Smail, Paul Devenport, Elliot Boult, Stuart Thompson, Mahal Pearce, Marcus Wheelhouse, Mark Brown and veteran Sir Bob Charles.

Organisers are hoping Kiwis Frank Nobilo and Phil Tataurangi will also be present.

Tataurangi is currently sidelined with a wrist injury and is unsure when he will be fit enough to play again while Nobilo, the world No 21 three years ago, is looking to rebuild his career in the United States after a poor year on the US PGA Tour this year.

Nobilo is seeking to arrange sponsors' invites to contest US circuit tournaments, one of which conflicts with the New Zealand Open.

- NZPA