Three of the top-six finishers from today’s British Women’s Open, led by runner-up Jodi Ewart Shadoff, have confirmed their places in next month’s MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open in Auckland.
The NZ$1.85 million event will be staged at the new Windross Farm golf course that will host the first LPGA tournament in New Zealand from 28 September to 1 October.
Ewart Shadoff boasted a course record-equalling 64 in the final round at the famed Kingsbarns links course in Scotland to push within two shots of the Major title.
The Englishwoman has today confirmed that she will travel to New Zealand for the first MCKAYSON New Zealand Open. She will be joined by two others who finished in the top-6 finishers today comprising Caroline Masson (France) who tied for third and American-based Korean Jenny Shin, sixth.
“Many golf fans in this end of the world may not know these names, but it is indicative of the standard of golfers that will be playing in New Zealand next month,” said MCKAYSON New Zealand Open tournament director, Michael Goldstein.
“The British Open is one of the four Majors and this trio of players produced some stunning golf to finish so close to the winner. The three of them were collectively 18 under par for the last 18 holes alone which is quite remarkable.
“It shows the quality of golfers coming to the MCKAYSON New Zealand Open, even if they are not household names among golfers in this country.”
Ewart Shadoff, 29, won five collegiate titles on golf scholarship to the University of New Mexico before turning professional in 2010. She has 18 top-10 finishes on both the LPGA and European Tour (LET) and sits in the top-30 ranked world players, earning nearly NZ$4 million in prizemoney in the process.
Masson (Germany), has enjoyed two professional victories on the LPGA and the LET, including a record 16-under par win at the Manulife LPGA Classic last year, and has earned around NZ$4 million in just four years as a professional.
Both Shadoff and Masson head to USA this week as part of the European Team to play in the biennial Solheim Cup against USA.
Shin, 24, moved to USA at nine years of age, winning the US Girls Junior title before turning professional as a teenager. She won her first LPGA last year at the Volunteers of America Texas and is one of the most consistent players on Tour, missing just 15 cuts in 135 LPGA tournaments since turning pro on her way to earning over NZ$ 4 million to date.
Further significant player announcements are expected in the next two weeks.
Hospitality packages for the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open are now on sale. A limited number of four-day season passes are available at $99 plus booking fee. Single day passes are available at $39 for Thursday and Friday and $49 per day for Saturday and Sunday – both plus booking fee. All children 16 years and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
CAPTION: Jodi Ewart Shadoff, runner-up in the British Open Championship today, has confirmed her place in the field for the MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open.
The image is free for editorial use for this story only. Credit: Getty Images.
