New Zealand Open must be co sanctioned to boost its standard
This year’s New Zealand Open will be seeing one of the weakest fields take to the course at the Clearwater in Christchurch. The highest ranked international player in the field was world number 383, Nick Cullen from Australia.
These are not good signs for the tournament, as they could not convince even the likes of veteran John Daly to take the field.
Moreover, the Kiwi number one golfer, Danny Lee will not be making an appearance either, as he is busy in the bid to secure his PGA Tour card for the next season.
Kiwi number two, Michael Campbell is also busy with his European Tour duties, as he bids to feature in the lucrative Race to Dubai event.
Failing to feature one’s own local top ranked golfers is disappointing. More than that, it does not give a good image of the tournament.
However, fellow Kiwi golfer, Mark Brown believes that the tournament must be co sanctioned by either the European or the PGA Tour to attract more international players.
Not only will it raise the standard of the field but it will also attract more crowds to the stands and, as a result, more people will follow the game.
"If we could have three or four tournaments co-sanctioned with Europe around Australia and New Zealand that might be one way of getting a stronger field I think it's just lacking that little bit of X Factor at the moment that probably needs to be arranged".
Even the prize money is not large enough to attract some big fishes.
"Unfortunately for the tournament it is a business and I'm sure a lot of the Aussie guys looked at the prize money and thought it might be a good week to have off, which is a shame," Brown said.
The event has been co sanctioned in the past by Nationwide and the European Tour. However, one big advantage for a weak field is that the more local golfers have the chance to play in New Zealand’s top ranked golf tournament.
This is probably the best a chance for a Kiwi to win silver ware at the New Zealand Open.
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