David Frost, ten times US PGA Tour winner and current Champions Tour stalwart, has confirmed that he will be teeing off in the NZ PGA Championship on the 29th of March at The Hills in Queenstown.
Hailing from South Africa Frost is well known for his putting, which he has used to devastating effect to collect 25 wins across four continents over his professional career. Frost comes to the tournament carrying some strong form after picking up seven top ten placings in the 2011 Champions Tour; where he picked up US$802,019 in prize money and finished the year with a ranked 23rd amongst a line up of golfing legends.
But Frost won’t have it all his own way though, as a deep line up Kiwi golfers have also committed to play the NZ PGA Championship.
Heading very strong Kiwi line up is seasoned professional and tournament ambassador Phil Tataurangi. With three international pro victories and vast experience on the US PGA Tour Phil is looking forward to the NZ PGA Championship returning to Queenstown where he believes that the course, the stunning location, and the new Pro-Am format will help to attract more top international players to the tournament.
“It’s very exciting being involved with the NZ PGA Championship not only as a player but also as one of the many people helping to make it a truly special event. Along with Sir Michael Hill I look forward to welcoming a number of my friends to The Hills and the Queenstown area and wish them a successful and enjoyable week. I’ll also be asking them to spread the good word to help us elevate the calibre of players that will want to come and play here in the future,” said Tataurangi.
Mark Brown is also on the start list after an absence of several years from local tournaments. Named the 2008 New Zealander Golfer of the Year after four international victories in one season and securing 64th spot on the World Golf Rankings it will be a rare chance for golf fans to see him playing on home soil again.
Some of the other top New Zealanders to watch out for include young up and comer Ryan Fox, the 2011 NZ Order of Merit winner Richard Lee, and the New Zealand 2011 World Cup pairing of Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison.
So with a strong field assembling for the tournament Frost, who is the co-owner of 300 acre vineyard in South Africa, will have to work hard to earn a celebratory Central Otago Pinot Noir.