British Open leaders confirmed for New Zealand Open

Jodi Ewart Shadoff of Eangland. Photo: Chatchai Somwat | Dreamstime

Three of the top six finishers from the British Women’s Open, led by runner-up Jodi Ewart Shadoff, have confirmed their places in the New Zealand Women’s Open.
The $NZ1.85 million event will be staged at the new Windross Farm golf course that will host the first LPGA tournament in New Zealand from September 28-October 1.
Ewart Shadoff boasted a course record-equalling 64 in the final round at the famed Kingsbarns links course in Scotland to get within two shots of the winner, In-Kyung Kim.
Ewart Shadoff, from England, will be joined by two others who finished in the top six finishers, comprising Caroline Masson (France) who tied for third and American-based Korean Jenny Shin, who was sixth.
New Zealand Open tournament director Michael Goldstein said: “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.
“The British Open is one of the five 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 a golf scholarship to the University of New Mexico before turning professional in 2010. She has 18 top-10 finishes on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tour (LET) and sits in the top-30 ranked world players, earning nearly $NZ4 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  $NZ4 million in just four years as a professional.
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 more than $NZ 4 million to date.