Golf-NZ Open delayed until next year

WELLINGTON, May 22 (Reuters) - The New Zealand Open golf tournament will not be played this year and will instead probably take place in March next year.

New Zealand Golf Chief Executive Bill MacGowan said in a statement on Thursday that the tournament, won by Britain's Richard Finch last December, would have to be moved as no dates were suitable before Christmas.

The European Tour co-sanctioned tournament will again be played at The Hills course near Queenstown. "We are currently negotiating with key parties on the final dates and sanctioning agreements in relation to the championship," said MacGowan, adding that it would probably take place next March.

"This new date and other arrangements should result in stronger fields, which we view as paramount.

"However, we wanted to let golf fans and the general public know that the Open will not be at the same time as last year." (Writing by Greg Stutchbury in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)