Donnelly books NZ Open spot in qualifier

Shandon youngster James Donnelly stole the show on his home course yesterday to book a place in the final round of qualifying for this month's New Zealand Open.

Donnelly, who fired a round of 68 in the Wellington regional qualifier, will join 23 other amateurs and six professionals at Millbrook on November 27 for a final shot at earning a place in the Open field.

The other four players to advance to the final stage at Shandon yesterday were Rangitikei prop Paul Hooper, Miramar's Adam Church, and Royal Wellington's 16-year-old St Pats Silverstream student Tyler Lock and assistant professional Kevin McAllister.

The Shandon tournament was one of four regional eliminations held at four different golf clubs throughout the country.

The biggest field was at Manukau Golf Club where North Harbour amateur Kevin Budden shared top honours with Korean professional Young Wan Kim both carding four-under scores of 68.

Three Bay of Plenty amateurs and Northland representative Dale Clarke bagged the four qualifying positions at Omanu where Kieran Muir (Western Bay) led the way with a five-under round of 67.

At the Christchurch Golf Club Korean Ryan Ra and Nelson-based Dominic Barson both fired five-under par 67.

Six players on one-over 73 went into a sudden-death playoff for the last two spots and they went to Japanese professional Kazu Nakayama and Amberley amateur Dean Cameron.