Hydes has performed consistently to begin 2024, finishing inside the top 10 in all nine events he’s played, highlighted by a win at the Marton Pro-Am in January. He’s also recorded two runner-ups at the BDL Dentures Palmerston North Pro-Am and the Parehua Resort Paraparaumu Beach Pro-Am, a third place at the Bayleys Waitemata Pro-Am, among three other top fives.
He’s accumulatively 40-under-par, racking up 9,781.13 points to sit on top of the OOM, giving him a tonne of confidence heading into the Race to Tieke next week, followed by the country’s biggest professional event – the New Zealand Open.
“I’ve been working really hard on my game and it’s been pleasing to see some good stuff come together. I’ve really enjoyed the start of the year, and it’s been good fun competing around the country on the NZ Pro-Am Circuit.
“I’m obviously really excited to get back down to the New Zealand Open in a few weeks’ time and looking forward to making some more progress as the year goes on.”
He finished ahead of Jake Meenhorst, who sits on 9,475.50 points. However, Meenhorst is already exempt into the New Zealand Open field. Hydes’s nearest threat came from fellow Auckland professional, Mason Lee, who sits in third with 8,784.50 points.
Professionals who aren’t already exempt into the New Zealand Open field can pre-qualify at Final Qualifying at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club or Cromwell Golf Club. Those exempt for are the top five in last year's OOM and/or those with a high enough PGATA exemption ranking.