NZ Open 2009

Getting things in perspective is one of life's constant challenges.

The past and the future will surely rub shoulders here this week despite New Zealand Open organisers squandering the opportunity to pair together golfing magnets Sir Bob Charles and Danny Lee.

Hunter Haas has tasted the rare air of the PGA Tour and is "starving" to get back to the top.

Tauranga golfer Jared Pender has qualified for the New Zealand Open a week after getting into the New Zealand PGA through the same route.

Local numbers in the New Zealand Open golf championship at the Hills course near Queenstown this week swelled by four with a Kiwi quartet clearing the final pre-qualifying round at Christchurch Golf Club today.

With a handful of significant exceptions, many of the players lining up in the Michael Hill New Zealand Open this week are not household sporting names in the world of professional golf. But, that doesn't make them any less interesting, or talented, for that matter, argues golf columnist Dave Cannan.

Josh Geary has a Major in his sights but is also relishing a return to The Hills this week.