The Lawnmaster Horizon Golf NZ PGA Championship has benefited from the ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open being held next week with marquee player Heath Slocum a confirmed starter for the Palmerston North tournament.

Based in Florida, this will be Slocum’s first trip to New Zealand and the second event he participates in on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia after competing in the Fiji International in 2016.

“It’s my first time to New Zealand and I’m starting off my first trip here on the oldest golf course in New Zealand so I’m pretty excited about that,” Slocum said ahead of round one on Thursday.

“First and foremost I want to come out and enjoy myself, it’s a great trip and I’m excited they invited me to come over and play not only this week but next week too.”

The four time PGA TOUR winner last tasted professional victory in 2010 but is still confident in his game ahead of this week’s tournament.

“My game is pretty good, I just need to go out and get some rounds under my belt and be patient and enjoy myself.”

A globetrotting Tour professional in his time, Slocom has seen some of the best courses in the world and after hearing of the talent to emerge from the Manawatu Golf Course he said he was looking forward to seeing how it will play.

“I’ve heard the golf course has produced guys like Tim Wilkinson, Grant Waite and Craig Perks I think are all from here, it’s not a bad spot to produce that kind of talent.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying these two weeks and hopefully get off to a great start here.”

The week at Palmerston North has presented ideal conditions so far, but the forecast for Saturday’s play looks likely to bring the windy conditions the region is known for. Slocum said where he grew up and his time on the PGA TOUR have prepared him well for the gusty conditions should they come.

“I grew up in pan handle Florida so I’m kind of used to the wind, I don’t mind it at all,” Slocum said.

“When you play the PGA TOUR for as long as I did or any series in the States you get quite a bit of wind there.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge, to me the wind is fun to play in and it’s a good challenge.”

At 43-years-of-age Slocum could be considered a veteran of professional golf and this week he’ll mix it up with some of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia’s best up and coming talents including the likes of Jake McLeod and Harrison Endycott.

He said he’s looking forward to seeing how he’ll match up against the field here and in next week’s ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open.

“There’s so much good competition here, there’s good competition all over the world so it’ll be good to test my skills against some of the up and comers here in this Tour, I’m looking forward to it.”