Englishmen Simon Dyson and Nick Dougherty, two of European golf’s brightest stars, have been confirmed for the Blue Chip New Zealand Open, to be held at the Gulf Harbour Country Club on November 30 to December 3, 2006.
They will join New Zealand’s leading player Michael Campbell, who confirmed his attendance some months ago. The 2006 Blue Chip New Zealand Open, co-sanctioned by The European Tour and the Australasian Tour, will be Campbell's first tournament at home since his outstanding US Open and HSBC World Match Play Championship wins last year. Campbell is currently ranked 26th on The European Tour Order of Merit and 25th in the world. He also finished second at the Volkswagen Masters in China last weekend.
Dyson has won twice during the 2006 season, claiming the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open in March and then The KLM Open in the Netherlands in August. Dougherty claimed his maiden title when he won the 2005 Singapore Masters.
Australian left hander Richard Green, another player in the top 40 on The European Tour Order of Merit and top 100 in the World, has also confirmed he will be attending. He finished third in the Dubai Desert Classic in February this year, just one shot behind Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. He also finished in a tie for third at the 2005 New Zealand Open.
Australian talent Jason Day, 18, who has had two top ten finishes in his seven starts on the US PGA Tour on sponsor invites has also accepted an invite to play in the Blue Chip New Zealand Open.
New Zealand Golf also have three former Open champions confirmed for the 156 strong field including Campbell, who won at Paraparaumu in 2000, Mahal Pearce who won at the Auckland Golf Club in 2003 and Australian Peter O’Malley, who won at The Grange in 1995 and finished in a tie for fifth at the 2005 New Zealand Open.
New Zealand’s outstanding young guns Brad Iles and Mathew Holten, who just turned professional last year are also confirmed to compete at this year’s Open. Both are competing on the Asian Tour this year.
Other notable players confirmed for the 2006 Blue Chip New Zealand Open are: Brett Rumford (AUS), and Jarrod Lyle (AUS).
