Golf Central

The Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open, co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australia, celebrates its 100th anniversary this week. The competition takes place The Hills Golf Club and is New Zealand’s richest sporting event with a prize fund of $1,500.00. I'm backing a Swede, an Aussie and a Kiwi...

Daniel Chopra @ 7/1 with Paddy Power: the big-hitting Swede claimed his first US Tour win at last months Ginn Sur Mer Classic and has continued to pay well. He was very unlucky to finish runner-up at last weeks Mastercard Masters after losing out in a play-off that stretched to the fourth extra hole. He has a good chance of becoming only the third European to win this event.

Peter O’Malley @ 14/1 with Paddy Power: three of O’Malley’s seven tournament successes have come in New Zealand and his game is well suited to the Hills Course. He closed with successive rounds of 67 to claim fourth place at the Mastercard Masters and a repeat of that form will make him a serious contender here.
 
Michael Campbell @ 16/1 with totesport: the 2005 US Open has been pretty far from his best of late but he remains New Zealand’s golfing icon. Campbell previously won this event in 2000 and is set to become the tournaments official Ambassador so he would love to triumph in the centenary edition. A return to something like his best form could be enough.