Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Ian Snyman from South Africa were paired together in the penultimate group on a gripping Sunday at the New Zealand Open last year.

The Asian Tour duo narrowly fell short of winning, after finishing tied for second – one shot behind Ryan Peake from Australia.

However, for both players, the disappointment of just missing out was outweighed by being at the heart of the action in an event – which features a Pro-Am component – that they both agree is of one their favourites on Tour.

“So, there’s a lot of history in the New Zealand Open which is attractive to the Japanese pros coming here as well as the amateurs,” said Higa, speaking at a press conference with Snyman this week.

“And with the unique format of combining the professionals and the amateurs together, it adds a special sort of ambience and flavour to the tournament, and it’s quite different to what they have in other countries.”

Millbrook Resort, the popular venue for the event since 2014, is set in a stunning alpine amphitheatre. It spans 650 acres of the Wakatipu Basin – a glacial valley bordered by the Crown Range, The Remarkables mountains and Lake Wakatipu.

Ian Snyman.

It’s one of the most beautiful settings in the game.

Added reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Higa: “Of course, the scenery is outstanding, and that’s attractive to the players and their partners, too. For a lot of the players, the chance to come to New Zealand, to come to Queenstown and to play here, is what they really look forward to.”

Snyman, who also finished equal sixth here two years ago, there are multiple reasons why he has fallen in love with the place.

“There are quite a few reasons for me, personally. My first year, I got introduced to the host family. We’ve just made this trip so memorable,” he said.

“I played with a beekeeper hat. It’s a funny big hat with a flap at the back, and I played with it in my first year, and they thought it was kind of cool. And next year, I came and I rocked up on the first tee, and the two host families basically all had the hats on, and they had team Snyman on the back, and I nearly started crying before I did my tee shot. So that’s one of the reasons.”

He has also made the most of the opportunity to go flying fishing and jet boating.

He added: “I mean, it’s on my top three, if not … I’m an ocean guy, to be honest with you guys, but it’s top three for my of all time favourite places I’ve been. Just the natural beauty, the air. It’s just different here, and then obviously the fans, the golf course – we get a great turnout.”

Kazuki Higa picture playing last year.

The famous par-three 18^th, seen of some many close finishes, is another standout feature.

“This finishing hole is awesome. It reminds me a little bit about the Waste Management championship. It’s like a mini one of that. So yeah, and the weather, the weather’s been awesome,” he explains.

“We’re so used to playing in extreme heat in in Asia, so coming out here and just being at the ideal temperature is pretty special. So, yeah, there’s a lot of reasons, and probably a couple that I didn’t mention now.”

Both players shot 66s in the final round lead year, while Australian Jack Thompson stormed through with three birdies in the last five to join them in second.

Said Snyman: “I would definitely say that it was a fight out there the whole day. Obviously, we didn’t know what Ryan was doing behind us. We could peek on a scoreboard every now and then, but we were battling it out there, giving blow by blow, making birdies. We didn’t have many blemishes that day, which was nice. We were kind of feeding off each other. And I mean, we both had a chance coming down the stretch. We both had birdie putts on the last hole. I had a bit of a shorter one, and unfortunately, mine lipped out. But we’re back, and we’re gonna give it our best this year.”

Pictures courtesy Photosport.

A powerful sense of history will be on display this week as a strong contingent of past champions return to compete at the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort.

Leading the group is defending champion Ryan Peake [main picture], who returns to Queenstown with memories of a career-defining victory still fresh. He will be joined by two-time champion Brad Kennedy, fan favourite Brendan Jones, the last Kiwi winner Michael Hendry, as well as former champions Matthew Griffin, Zach Murray, Jordan Zunic and Dimi Papadatos, all chasing another chapter in their New Zealand Open legacy.

Tournament Director Michael Glading says welcoming back past champions is one of the great traditions of the event.

“The New Zealand Open has always been a tournament that honours its history, and we absolutely love welcoming our past champions back,” said Glading. “These players have helped shape the story of the event, and it’s fantastic to see them return to Millbrook Resort to compete again and reconnect with everything the tournament represents.”

The strong sense of tradition will again be celebrated at the annual Champions Dinner, held on the Monday before tournament week. The evening brings together past winners from across the decades, with legends such as Sir Bob Charles, Greg Turner and many others invited to share stories and celebrate the enduring legacy of the championship.

Brendan Jones, the 2023 champion.

For the 2025 champion, Peake, returning to Millbrook Resort as the defending champion is a special moment. “It’s a huge honour to come back and defend the New Zealand Open,” said Peake.

“As soon as I arrive at Millbrook, I know all the memories come flooding back. It’s such a special place and such a special tournament, and I can’t wait to get back out there and do it all again.”

For Hendry, the New Zealand Open remains a tournament unlike any other, with his 2017 victory still standing as the last time a New Zealander lifted the iconic Brodie Breeze Trophy.

“The New Zealand Open will always hold a special place for me,” said Hendry. “I’m incredibly proud to be able to say I won my National Open, and coming back to Millbrook always brings back great memories. It’s a tournament that means a lot to the players, especially New Zealanders, and it’s always an honour to tee it up alongside past champions and be part of its history.”

The 105th New Zealand Open promises not only world-class competition but a celebration of the rich history that continues to define one of the game’s most treasured events.

The New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort starts tomorrow.

Overview

This year marks the seventh occasion the Asian Tour has been fortunate enough to joint-sanction the tournament with our friends at the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia. There is also a strong presence from Japan as the tournament is staged in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour, which is an important part of the event with the Ishii family’s ownership of Millbrook Resort.

The Asian Tour has 33 exemptions from a starting field of 156 but with dual members from the other Tours roughly one third of the field are members of the Asian Tour.

As per last year, the New Zealand Open will form part of the Open Qualifying Series with the leading player, not otherwise exempt, qualifying to play in the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale this summer.

Also competing this week are an incredible line up of other sports stars and celebrities, called the event’s Ambassadors. They include former cricket stars Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming, surfing superstar Kelly Slater, former #1 ranked tennis player Ashley Barty, All Black legend Israel Dagg, and actor Micheal Peña.

The ultimate aim though this week is to raise The Brodie Breeze Trophy, which goes to the winner come Sunday afternoon. The trophy is named after G. Brodie Breeze, a golf club maker in Glasgow, who in 1923 offered a trophy for the event that was accepted by Golf New Zealand.

Past champions.

Millbrook Resort

Millbrook Resort has staged New Zealand’s National Open since 2014, and is a luxury resort situated four kilometres from the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown.

It spans 650 acres of the Wakatipu Basin – a glacial valley bordered by the Crown Range, The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. This means the Resort is set in a stunning alpine amphitheatre.

Its two golf courses, the Remarkables and Coronet, were designed by Sir Bob Charles and Greg Turner, both former winners of the event, with Scott Macpherson.

The famous venue was first opened for the public in 1993.

Kevin Na.

Tournament Information

• Tournament: 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort
• Date: 26th February – 1st March, 2026
• Venue: Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
• Par/Yards: 71 / 6,961 yards
• Purse: NZ$2million
• Asian Tour leg: Second
• Edition of tournament: 105th
• Total number of players: 156
• Format: The New Zealand Open, will be contested over 72 holes of stroke play.
• One key point of difference is this is the only National Open to feature a Pro-Am component. After the second round the top 60 professionals plus ties will continue to the final two rounds, while the top 40 Pro-Am teams will progress to round three. A third-round cut will see the top 10 teams make it to the final round. Millbrook Resort’s Remarkables and Coronet courses will be used for the first two rounds, while a composite layout will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
• Social media hashtags: #TimeToRise #NZOpen

Kelly Slater. Picture by Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League.

Field Breakdown

• Order of Merit winners: Kazuki Higa (2025), John Catlin (2024)
• Nationalities: 16
• Top contenders: Kazuki Higa (JPN), Lucas Herbert (AUS), Wang wei-hsuan (TPE), Ben Campbell (NZL), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Travis Smyth (AUS), Austen Truslow (USA)
• Defending champion Ryan Peake leads the list of past winners. He will be joined by two-time champion Brad Kennedy, fan favourite Brendan Jones, the last Kiwi winner Michael Hendry, as well as former champions Matthew Griffin, Zach Murray, Jordan Zunic and Dimi Papadatos.
• Highest ranked player on OWGR: Kazuki Higa (JPN) #123
• No. of amateurs in the field: 6
• No. of New Zealand players in the field: 28

Tournament Notes

• The 2025 Order of Merit champion Kazuki Higa from Japan is the highest ranked player on the OWGR in the field this week at number 123. Last season he won the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC in back-to-back weeks in September, and the 30-year-old also posted five other top 10s during the season including T2’s at last year’s New Zealand Open early in the year and at the International Series Philippines in late October.
• Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand started his 2026 campaign with a very strong statement at the season opening Philippine Golf Championship with a runner-up finish, pushing the eventual winner Wooyoung Cho from Korea all the way to the end. Pavit, historically a slow starter to his seasons, then followed it up with another T2 in a playoff loss to compatriot Danthai Boonma on the All Thailand Tour a week later.
• Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan had a breakthrough season in 2025 and recorded three top-three finishes in a span of a month in September-October, finishing T2 at the Yeangder TPC, third at Mercuries Taiwan Masters and losing a play-off at the SJM Macaco Open to finish a career best ninth on the Order of Merit. He also won three events on his local Taiwan PGA Tour last year and won that Order of Merit. In his first tournament of 2026, the Philippine Golf Championship in early February, Wang posted a solid T9.
• Travis Smyth from Australia has also gotten off to a fast start of his 2026 season posting a third-place finish at the Philippine Golf Championship and a T5 at the The Quinovic New Zealand PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia last week. Smyth has consistently been one of the top performers on the Asian Tour the last few seasons, with an Order of Merit ranking of fourth as his best in 2023.
• Fellow Australian Lucas Herbert, currently playing on the LIV Golf League for the all-Aussie Ripper GC squad, has finished T6 in Adelaide and T9 in Riyadh to open up his 2026 LIV season. Herbert claimed his first Asian Tour and International Series win at the International Series Japan presented by Moutai last April, taking that title by five shots. He also has one PGA Tour win on his resume, the 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship, as well as two victories on the DP World Tour: the 2020 Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Herbert was runner-up in this tournament to Australian Brad Kennedy in 2020.
• New Zealand’s local hero and Queenstown resident Ben Campbell is also playing on the LIV Golf League, for the Range Goats GC team. He has finished joint second in his home national Open twice, in 2023 behind winner Brendan Jones from Australia and in 2017 losing in a play-off to fellow Kiwi Michael Hendry. Campbell is a two-time Asian Tour and International Series winner, claiming the 2023 Hong Kong Open and the 2024 International Series Morocco.
• American Austen Truslow is the most recent winner teeing it up this week, after taking the trophy at the Quinovic NZ PGA Championship just a few days ago in difficult conditions.
• The tournament is part of the Open Qualifying Series (OQS): The leading player, not already exempt as of close of entries who makes the cut will earn a place in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale from 16 -19 July 2026.
• Americans Kevin Na and Nick Watney, both five-time winners on the PGA Tour, are also in the field this week, as is former PGA Tour player Kyle Stanley, also from the U.S.
• On the celebrity side of the tournament, the event will welcome surfing legend Kelly Slater, tennis great Ash Barty, cricketing icons Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting, plus dual-black and broadcaster Jeff Wilson, as well as All Blacks favourite Israel Dagg. New Zealand basketball legend Tom Abercrombie and Hollywood actor Michael Peña will also serve as official New Zealand Open Ambassadors.

Pictures courtesy Photosport.

Austen Truslow [main picture after winning the NZ PGA] says “investing in himself” and building a strong team around him last year have led to the huge improvement in his game.

It culminated with a breakthrough win at the Quinovic NZ PGA Championship last weekend on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia – perfect preparation for the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort, which commences on Thursday.

“I’d say, I’ve definitely figured out how to match mature knowledge of how to play the game with good physical ability to play the game,” said the American, ahead of this week’s event – which is joint-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Then I have a good team, and I invested more in myself last year with a physical trainer, mentorship, coaching, full time caddy, great girlfriend, like, just a good team around me.”

That team is comprehensive and at its core are six people: Mike Bender, coach, Mike Shannon, putting coach, Leighton Peaver, physical trainer, Nick O’Hern, mentor, and Julian Hood, his caddie. He is also keen to point out his girlfriend, Caroline Hall, has also been a great influence.

Truslow recorded his best finish on the Asian Tour last year in Morocco. Picture by Steve Bardens/Asian Tour.

Added the 30-year-old: “I’d say those are the major players right now.”

He overcame strong winds to record an impressive three-stroke win at the NZ PGA Championship, played at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club – where winds gusted up to 60km/h.

“It was a huge goal to get a win this year. I mean, I had the goal, obviously my whole career, but I felt like I was better prepared this year to do it than I ever have been,” he explained.

“I just knew how to keep getting myself in good positions to win. And fortunately, held the 36-hole lead and kept it on Saturday. And to finish it off gave me a lot of confidence.”

Truslow turned professional in 2015 and initially played on the Korn Ferry Tour. He turned his attention to Asia in 2019 and made an immediate impact by winning the Asian Tour Qualifying School for the 2019 season.

He lost his card that year but regained it at the 2024 School. He finished 52^nd on the Order of Merit that year but raised his game last year, finishing 27^th – helped by six top 25 finishes. At the International Series Morocco a sixth-place finish gave him a best finish on the Asian Tour to date.

The American also recorded a top 10 at the Philippine Golf Championship earlier this month – the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.

Truslow after winning the 2019 Asian Tour Qualifying School. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Of those early struggles to find his feet in the professional game he says: “Yeah, it’s very frustrating. You know, you question whether you want to continue doing it. You know, I’ve always kind of told myself, if I hadn’t gotten to where I wanted to be by 28 or 29 I’d move on to a different career.

“And, so, there’s definitely been a lot of times where I’ve questioned whether I wanted to continue playing. So, to get a win and see the progress happen, it’s very validating and kind of reassures me that I’m on the right path.”

The New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort has unveiled a world-class line-up of Ambassadors for next week – bringing together some of the most celebrated names from across global sport and entertainment.

The tournament, which tees-off on 26 February at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, will welcome surfing legend Kelly Slater [main picture], tennis great Ash Barty, cricketing icons Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting, plus dual-black and broadcaster Jeff Wilson, as well as All Blacks favourite Israel Dagg,

New Zealand basketball legend Tom Abercrombie and Hollywood actor Michael Peña will also serve as official New Zealand Open Ambassadors.

They will alll participate in the Pro-Am, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation as one of the most distinctive and inclusive events on the international sporting calendar.

New Zealand Open Chairman John Hart believes the Ambassadors represent what makes the tournament unique.

Ricky Ponting at last year’s New Zealand Open. Picture by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

He said: “The New Zealand Open has always been about more than just world-class golf — it’s about bringing people, places and stories together. To have icons of this calibre supporting the tournament as ambassadors speaks volumes about the event we’ve built and the experience we offer here in Queenstown. Their involvement helps showcase the New Zealand Open to a truly global audience.”

A global sporting icon whose career has transcended his sport and is widely regarded as one of the most influential athletes of his generation, surfing legend Slater said the opportunity to be part of the New Zealand Open was an easy decision, drawn by the tournament’s distinctive atmosphere and its world-renowned Queenstown setting.

“I’ve been fortunate to compete in some of the most iconic locations around the world, and Queenstown sits right at the top of that list,” said the American.

“From what I have seen and people have told me, the New Zealand Open has a truly unique atmosphere — from the spectacular setting to the people and the hospitality. I’m genuinely excited to be part of it and experience the week firsthand.”

Tennis legend Barty is returning to play in her second New Zealand Open Pro-Am and is excited to challenge herself again against the course and her fellow ambassadors.

Said the Australian: “The New Zealand Open is one of those weeks I circle on the calendar every year now. Millbrook Resort is such a special place, and I’m incredibly excited to be playing again.”

Ash Barty pictured competing in the event two years ago. Picture by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

Peña returns for his second year after experiencing the tournament for the first time in 2025, a week he describes as unforgettable.

“Coming to the New Zealand Open last year was honestly one of the best sporting experiences I’ve ever had,” said Peña. “The golf, the people, the setting — everything about Queenstown and Millbrook was next level. I had such an amazing time in 2025 that saying yes to coming back was a no-brainer. I can’t wait to be part of it again.”

Americans Kevin Na and Nick Watney, both five-time winners on the PGA Tour, plus Kyle Stanley will add further star power to next week’s 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort.

Na will be making his debut in the tournament, which will be played at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from 26 February – 1 March, while it will mark Stanley’s return to New Zealand for the first time in 15 years.

For all three players it will be their first experience of the highly acclaimed Queenstown course, something which they are all eagerly awaiting.

“I’ve heard so many great things about Queenstown and the New Zealand Open,” said Na, who played on the LIV Golf League for the past four years. “To finally have the chance to come down, see the place for myself and play such a historic tournament is something I’m really looking forward to. Millbrook looks incredible, and I can’t wait to get there.”

Watney echoed those sentiments, excited by the setting and the chance to test his game in New Zealand.

Nick Watney enroute to winning The Barclays at Bethpage in 2012. Pictures by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

“This will be my first trip to Queenstown, and everything I’ve seen and heard about it looks amazing,” said Watney. “The New Zealand Open has a great reputation, and I’m excited to be part of it.”

Stanley added his enthusiasm, saying: “This event has been on my radar for some time, and I am extremely grateful that the tournament has invited me along. New Zealand is a country I have been looking forward to returning to, having played in the NZ PGA Championship at Clearwater back in 2010.

Tournament Director Michael Glading said securing Na, Stanley and Watney further strengthened an already strong international field.

“To have three proven PGA Tour winners of this calibre commit to the New Zealand Open is fantastic for the tournament,” said Glading.

“Kevin, Kyle and Nick bring immense experience, competitiveness and global profile, and they add real depth and quality to the field.”

“Kevin’s exploits on both the LIV and PGA tours are well known to many, Kyle is a two-time PGA Tour winner, and of course Nick is a former top ten player in the world; we’re thrilled to welcome them all to Queenstown.”

Kyle Stanley. Picture by Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

All three players will maximise their visit by playing in one of the other New Zealand events this month, with Kyle Stanley teeing it up in the Quinovic NZPGA Championship at Paraparaumu this week, and both Watney and Na moving to Auckland in March.

The event is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Anthony Kim’s joint fifth place in the PIF Saudi International at the end of last year, in the final event of the season on the Asian Tour, has clearly proven to be a statement of intent.

At the weekend the 40-year-old completed a remarkable return to golf by claiming LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange, in front thousands of fans – so typical of the hugely popular event.

It is his first tournament victory since winning the Houston Open on the PGA Tour in 2010 and vindicates his decision to try and re-launch his career following battles with drug and alcohol addiction.

He began the final round five shots behind overnight leaders Jon Rahm from Spain and fellow-American Bryson DeChambeau.

Anthony Kim holds his daughter Bella and celebrates winning LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club. Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.

Kim stormed through on the final day making nine birdies in a round of 63 to finish on 23 under.

Rahm ended three shots back in second, while DeChambeau tied for third.

“It’s been overwhelming,” said Kim. “But I’m never not going to fight for my family.

“God gave me a talent. I was able to produce some good golf today, I knew it was coming.

“Nobody else has to believe in me, but me. And for anybody that’s struggling, you can get through anything.”

He initially joined LIV Golf as a wildcard in 2024 and in Adelaide became part of American Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team following compatriot Patrick Reed’s departure from the league.

4Aces – also consisting of the Belgium duo of Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters – finished third, while Ripper GC was first in the team competition.

“I always believed that this day would come,” said Kim. “With the support of my wife, my daughter and my mum, I knew anything was possible but for it to actually happen is incredible.”

Kim heads down the 18th and is overrun by the crowd in Adelaide. Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.

In that performance in Saudi last year on the Asian Tour he came close to winning, in a result that caught the eye globally.

It came from nowhere as he’d not finished better than equal 37^th before that in nine Asian Tour starts, following his comeback, and had also missed the cut in four of those events.

It’s proven to be an invaluable period of learning as he plotted his way back to the highest level.

Miguel Tabuena [main picture] has made history after being confirmed as the first player from the Philippines to earn full-time status on the LIV Golf League, following a standout rise through The International Series – the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour.

The 31-year-old will compete throughout the 2026 season as a Wild Card, beginning this week at LIV Golf Adelaide – which starts today at The Grange Golf Club.

Tabuena’s journey reached a turning point with a breakthrough victory at the International Series Philippines last October, which helped him finish the season in third place on The International Series Rankings.

After making a successful debut as a substitute for 4Aces GC in Riyadh last week, his pathway from The International Series to the LIV Golf League is now complete as he officially joins the league

He said: “This is really huge for me, my goal last year was to win an International Series event, and I did it. That win opened up so many opportunities, including playing bigger events like the Saudi International, and it also gave me a real chance to push for promotion.

Miguel Tabuena celebrates after winning the International Series Philippines last year. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

“This opportunity also proves that The International Series is a real pathway to LIV Golf. I didn’t earn the automatic spot straight away, but I played well across the season, and the LIV team saw that. It shows that if you compete on the Asian Tour and perform in The International Series, doors can open, even for players coming through Q School.”

The four-time Asian Tour winner will join a growing crop of International Series and top performers from the Asian Tour who have earned full-time LIV Golf cards for 2026, including Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, Yosuke Asaji from Japan, Canadian Richard T. Lee and Björn Hellgren from Sweden.

Tabuena’s announcement comes alongside further major news for 4Aces GC, with former Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim from the United States confirmed as a full-time team member for the 2026 season under captain and countryman Dustin Johnson.

Kim made five International Series starts in 2025 as he pushed for a return to the League, before sealing it with one of three Wild Card spots at LIV Golf Promotions in January.

The American also credited his time on The International Series with helping sharpen his form as he worked his way back into top-level competition, reflecting positively on his experience competing in Asia and the growing strength of the fields.

Miguel Tabuena.

Miguel Tabuena’s Additional Quotes

Q: Miguel, congratulations — you’re now a full-time LIV Golf player. How did you find out?
Tabuena: It was completely random. LIV’s Player Relations team called me early in the morning, around 7am, and I was actually still asleep! They told me they’d been trying to reach me all morning.

Then they told me that because I was the highest finisher in The International Series Rankings last year outside of the automatic exemptions, they wanted to offer me the Wild Card spot for the entire season after Anthony Kim has moved to 4Aces GC. I honestly couldn’t believe it.

Q: You finished third on the Rankings last year and are clearly being rewarded for that?

Tabuena: Definitely. The top two in The International Series Rankings got automatic spots, and I finished third, so I was the next highest-ranked player. They wanted to reward a player who competed in The International Series all year and performed consistently.

I’m really glad I finished third, because it shows that every event matters and that the Rankings truly mean something.

I played strongly at LIV Golf Promotions and just missed out, but everything worked out in the end. Sometimes you need a setback before something bigger comes along. The key is not giving up and staying committed.

Q: Now that you’ll be playing a full LIV season, do you still plan to compete in The International Series events this year?

Tabuena: Yes, absolutely. I want to play Japan for sure, and I think it’s Japan, then a week off, and then Mexico.

I’m the kind of player who needs to keep competing. I can’t just show up at a LIV event and expect to play well, these guys are honestly on another level. To stay sharp and tournament ready, I need to keep playing.

As long as I stay healthy and plan the schedule properly, I think I’ll play most of The International Series events this year, if not all of them.

Asian Tour members have seized the opportunity to play in one of the game’s most treasured National Opens, with a high-calibre contingent having entered the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort.

American John Catlin [main picture], the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, Filipino Miguel Tabuena, who made a fine debut on the LIV Golf League last week, and Hong Kong number one Taichi Kho have all confirmed their participation for the tournament – which will be played at Millbrook Resort, in Queenstown from 26 February – 1 March.

Wooyoung Cho, winner of the Philippine Golf Championship presented by Philippine Golf Commission at the weekend, has also entered, along with Australian stars Wade Ormsby and Travis Smyth. Smyth is another in-form after finishing third in the Philippines.

The NZ$2million event is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour, and is co-sanctioned with the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Germany’s Dominic Foos, winner of last year’s SJM Macao Open, will also make the trip to Queenstown.

Dominic Foos.

Tournament Director Michael Glading said the depth of quality coming from the Asian Tour continues to elevate the tournament’s international reputation.

“Dominic Foos had an outstanding 2025 season, finishing in top 20 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and having his first win on the Tour, so he is clearly a player to watch out for,” Glading said. “He’s someone who has proven he can win and is one the crowds will really enjoy watching. We’re excited to see him at Millbrook this year.”

“John Catlin’s return is equally exciting. He’s a past Order of Merit winner, knows how to win, and is always likely to be in contention come Sunday. When you add in the likes of last week’s winner in the Philippines, Wooyoung Cho, Miguel Tabuena, Wade Ormsby, Taichi Kho and Travis Smyth, it speaks volumes about the strength and depth of the Asian Tour players coming to Queenstown this year.”

Foos, who will be making his debut appearance at the tournament, said: “I’m really pleased to be going to Queenstown, it’s going to be my first time in New Zealand and it’s one of the events I have really been looking forward to playing. So yeah, I’m pumped.

“I’ve heard from a bunch of guys on Tour that the course is amazing and the area is beautiful. I’m told it’s also a really well-run tournament, so yeah, I can’t wait to experience it myself.”

Catlin, meanwhile, will be making his fourth appearance at the New Zealand Open and says the pull of Queenstown keeps bringing him back.

“I absolutely love going back to the New Zealand Open,” Catlin said.

“Queenstown is my favourite place in the world – the people, the scenery, the course – everything about it is special. It’s a tournament I always look forward to, and I can’t wait to get back and compete again.”

Wooyoung Cho.

Other Asian Tour players to look out for are Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who finished runner-up in the Philippines, Malaysia’s up-and-coming star Ervin Chang and South African Ian Snyman, who both tied for fifth last week. Snyman is another of the Asian Tour members who considers the New Zealand event to be one of his favourite stops. He tied for second last year and was equal sixth the year before.

Defending champion Ryan Peake from Australia and his compatriot Jack Thompson, another runner-up last year, will also return to the tournament. Both are members of the Asian Tour.

Part of the appeal of the tournament is the fact that it’s the only National Open in the game to feature a Pro-Am component. All 156 professionals start with an amateur partner.

After the second round the top 60 professionals plus ties will continue to the final two rounds, while the top 40 Pro-Am teams will progress to round three. A third-round cut will see the top 10 teams make it to the final round.

Millbrook Resort’s Remarkables and Coronet courses will be used for the first two rounds, while a composite layout, consisting of the best holes of each, will be played on the Saturday and Sunday.

For the second year in succession, the leading player not otherwise exempt will earn the right to play at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale this summer – as the tournament is part of the Open Qualifying Series.

There was plenty to talk about at the Philippine Golf Championship presented by Philippine Sports Commission last week. It was the season-opening event on the Asian Tour and the player comments spoke volumes about the success of the week on the East Course at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, in Manila.

Wooyoung Cho on winning on the Asian Tour for the first time after having previously won on the Korean Tour:

“It feels very amazing. This is my first event in 2026, so I started off the season very well and I really enjoyed it.”

About his crucial par-saves after a plugged lie in the green side bunker on 11 and a short-sided chip on 12 on Sunday:

“The most important thing in my game today were the saves on 11 and 12. On hole 11 I just wanted to make bogey, just an easy bogey, but I think it was lucky to make par. On hole number 12 I think it was very important to make par as well. That’s why I won this tournament.”

On making birdie on the iconic par-three 17^th hole in round two:

“I pray every time I get to 17.”

Pavit Tangkamolprasert.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert on finishing runner-up:

“I played my best today. I mean, hitting good irons, giving myself a chance. I hit it in the fairways, and I was hoping my putts would drop. But congrats to Wooyoung, he made some really, really important putts on the back nine. I was trying to get my momentum back, but yeah, I couldn’t do it.”

About getting off to a good start to his 2026 season:

“I was surprised. You know, always in the beginning of the year I haven’t played well. But yeah, one thing that I feel that this year is different, because I didn’t have much time off off season. You know, I went to LIV Promotions, I still like kept playing. Because normally, after the last tournament I would take a vacation and then get off to a little bit of a slow start. But this year is kind of like, okay, after Saudi get ready for LIV Promotions, so I practiced a lot and that’s helped.”

Travis Smyth on playing Wack Wack Golf for the first time:

“I love it. It gives me, sort of Hong Kong Golf Club vibes, where you just sort of place it off the tee, a lot of four irons and hybrids off tees, and it was even a couple six irons off some of the par four tees. So, it’s quite cool, I’m enjoying it, it’s good.

About his current form and what has been the best part of his game so far:

“I feel like I have got good control of the ball at the moment. I’m shaping it both ways pretty nicely and the swing feels pretty simple, so I’m in a pretty good headspace.”

“The best part of my game, I’d say just committing to the shot that I want to play. Like everything’s pretty tidy if I do a good job of just committing to the shot that I want to play and not letting the fear sort of override the sort of whole process. I’m usually hitting pretty good shots, so I’d say my mind.”

After his one-under-par 71 on Saturday:

“It was a bit bipolar today, honestly.” 

Travis Smyth.

Karandeep Kochhar after his course record setting round of 65 on Saturday to take the lead:

“I think the way this course has been playing for the past two days and today, with a little bit of rain, which was there for maybe seven, eight holes, I would say I think it was probably one of my finest performances.

“Because it’s not easy out there to score, the greens are tiny, they can get quick if you’re on the wrong side of the hole. And yeah, I think I just played really well tee to green, that’s been the mantra this week, just try to hit as many greens as possible.”

About not cutting his beard all week:

“I remember when I won in Egypt, I had a long beard and everything. I wanted to get it cut on the first day, but I said you know what? I’m going to stick it out through this week. It’s looking unkempt, it’s looking disgusting, but it’s just my superstition, so I’m only gonna do it tomorrow night.”

Ian Snyman on playing a tournament at Wack Wack for the first time:

“I like it, smart play and good ball striking gets rewarded, and that’s what excites me. I don’t like lucky golf, so if you’re in the trees it should be difficult. If you’re rough, it should be difficult, so this is my type of golf course.”

Sarut Vongchaisit talking about if an old school course like Wack Wack suits his game and how it reminds him of course in Thailand:

“Yes, because I don’t hit the furthest out here, and you definitely need to know your way around out here, so that definitely helps. The grass out here is cow grass, so we are definitely used to chipping and hitting on these fairways, so that helps.”

Jeunghun Wang on making his Asian Tour debut at the Philippine Open at Wack Wack as a 16-year-old amateur in 2011:

“I don’t actually remember the course from back then, but when I played here, I was really nervous. That’s what I remember, actually.”

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.