Ōmokoroa’s Caitlin Maurice is relishing the opportunity to compete on home soil this week at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship.

Maurice, who is based at St Andrews in Scotland, has returned to compete in the WAAP championship at Royal Wellington Golf Club and the 23-year-old said there was a real buzz around the event.

“It’s super special,” she beamed in the press conference on championship eve.

“I’ve been getting a few messages from people today that will come out to watch and girls I’ve played junior golf with – they’re excited for it to be at home.

“Even my friends outside of golf know about it – it’s really cool.”

Caitlin Maurice is playing in Wellington at the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific championship from February 12-15. Photo / Supplied

With the Royal Wellington targeting 10,000 spectators across the four-day championship from February 12-15 and free entry for fans, Maurice is looking forward to the support of the home crowd.

“It seems like everybody in New Zealand knows this championship is happening, which is really cool for us,” said Maurice, who is one of 11 New Zealand players competing in the championship.

“I think there will be some really big crowds, so I’m excited to have those crowds coming down to watch this week,” she said.

This year the championship features 84 players from 25 countries, including 13 of the top 50 players from the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

With no New Zealand champion in the tournament’s seven-year history, Maurice recognises the significance a home victory could have for women’s golf in the country.

“I think women’s golf has grown so much over the past few years and it would be amazing for New Zealand to have a winner too,” she said.

“It would push the game forward and get more girls into golf.”

Maurice, who grew up playing at Ōmokoroa Golf Club, had been impressed by the Royal Wellington course set-up and conditions as she prepares to take on 83 of the region’s best amateur golfers. “The course is in amazing condition,” she said.

Caitlin Maurice, on right, talks in the press conference on championship eve. Photo / Supplied

“I’m sure there’ll be some tough pins out there – placements off the tee will be important,” Maurice said. “And if the wind gets up like it has in the afternoon ... it goes quiet in the morning. Just knowing your numbers throughout the course. I think there will be some low scores for sure.”

Maurice previously told Sunlive that this competition was her recent focus.

“It’s always special to represent your home country, and to have the tournament back home is very cool to be a part of,” Maurice said.

Maurice returned home at Christmas to spend time with family and begin her preparation in earnest, combining technical work with simulating tournament conditions as she chases her major championship dreams.

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship runs from February 12-15 at Royal Wellington Golf Club, with free entry for spectators.

The champion will earn automatic entry into three major championships: the AIG Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship.