Two of Australia’s big hopes, Ella Scaysbrook and Raegan Denton, played Tuesday’s Am-Am at Royal Wellington Golf Club with Macpherson and Golf New Zealand CEO, Jeff Latch.

The opportunity to pick the brain of the man who worked alongside Kiwi great Greg Turner in completing a full course renovation in 2013 was eagerly accepted by Scaysbrook and Denton, the pair now able to share their learnings with fellow Aussies Jazy Roberts, Rachel Lee, Shyla Singh and Grace Rho.

“It’s pretty cool to play with someone that’s designed a golf course. I don’t think we do that very often, especially at these type of events,” said Scaysbrook.

“It was definitely a lot of help for us.

“Scott was telling us where to hit it off the tee, where is not good on the green, where is good on the green.”

Taking advantage of her length off the tee, Scaysbrook never had more than 8-iron into the par 4s, but the undulation in the greens promises to present the greatest challenge come Thursday.

For Rachel Lee, the 2025 Australian Amateur champion, the premium placed on iron play and adjusting to the immaculate playing surfaces will be a major focus for Wednesday’s final practice round.

“It’s very different grass to what I play back home,” said Lee.

“I was actually struggling a little bit during the driving range, thinning a few shots, but I think it’s a very good setup.

“There’ll be a bit of wind I think throughout the week, that’s what New Zealand is mostly known for, but I think it’s just a really good setup here.”

While Lee makes her Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific debut this week, Scaysbrook returns a more confident player having finished tied 42nd in Vietnam last year.

A run all the way to the semi-finals of the US Women’s Amateur last August gave the now 20-year-old a sense of belief that her game belongs on the world stage.

“I feel like after that event, it kind of opened my eyes that I am a part of the good people, I would say,” said the Newcastle product.

“I appreciate that more now and think about that more. And being at these types of events, again, seeing these people again definitely makes you think about it a lot.

“Not many people knew who I was as well, because it was one of my first bigger events.

“I feel like now I know where I stand. We can go into this week feeling a lot more confident and game feels really good still.”

As for Australia finally breaking through with a win in the tournament’s eighth staging, Scaysbrook likes her country’s chances.

“I definitely think we have potential,” she added.

“Me, Raegan and Jazy have won this year already, so I feel like we’re all going into it pretty confident.

“And obviously Rachel’s a really strong player, Grace, Shyla is at college, they’ve all had good results as well.

“I do think Australia can come through strong.”