Teen titan Kim leads the New Zealand Open
Joohyung Kim (KOR) First round 64 (-7)
The wind was swirling all day and it was tough. But I managed myself really well and gave myself lots of good chances and made some good putts too. I’ve been very fortunate to play well and I’ve also been working very hard. It’s nice to know that I can still post a good round after a month’s break. It’s a tough day and I’m glad I managed to do well. For tomorrow, I just have to play without any expectations and play the way I did today. A lot will also have to depend on the wind too. I’m really enjoying myself as a professional golfer. Being only 17, traveling and playing in tournaments like the New Zealand Open, it’s really a huge honour.
Ben Eccles (AUS) First round 65 (-6)
It’s pretty awesome. I said to my best mate who’s caddying for me that I just want to enjoy the week whether I get in or not and we got in yesterday morning so it’s a big bonus and to play like I did today was just awesome. I feel like my game has turned a corner in the last three or four months. I’ve been working pretty hard on some stuff so I’m excited for what’s coming. I’ve played this event three times before and I made the cut twice. I just love the place, it’s just amazing. The golf course is playing a bit harder this year with the rough up. It’s nice to get around like that. We’re off in the morning so hopefully we’ll get the better of the weather again. I think it’s the harder of the two courses (The Hills) so it’s going to be a bit of a test but I’m looking forward to it.
Wade Ormsby (AUS) First round 65 (-6)
It’s been a fantastic few days here already. You kind of forget how beautiful it is down here in Queenstown. Mike’s (Hendry) been putting pressure on me for a while to come down here and it was nice to make it happen. I had a great day out there today so I’m pretty happy with the positive start. I felt like we could have gotten the wrong side of the draw there pretty quickly so it was just a matter of hanging on early. I made some great up and downs on two and three and it was just a matter of hanging on. I started making some birdies back down the wind there on five, six, seven or seven, eight and nine. So that got a bit of momentum going and then I played nice around the back. The game feels pretty good, I putted nicely so I’m happy. I had a nice run at the end of last year. I didn’t finish off that many tournaments but obviously, Hong Kong I had a win there, Australian PGA, that one stung quite a bit but I feel like I’ve got a bit to prove to myself and I’m working pretty hard at the moment even though the last few weeks haven’t been great. I had two weeks off, I’ve rebooted, worked hard last week and it’s nice to come back here and punch out a number in round one.
Brad Kennedy (AUS) First round 66 (-6)
It was a totally different breeze to what we are used to. A totally different golf course. Luckily, I didn’t have a practise round this week, so I just went on what I know and it was a whole new experience. Sometimes there was a four or five club difference between a couple of rounds last year and this year. It was fun, I even got a chance to get home in two on 17, so that was fun. I just love coming to New Zealand. Especially knowing that you’ve won twice in New Zealand, it’s always a special feeling.
Zach Murray (AUS) First round 68 (-3)
I’m a little bit disappointed. I got to the toughest hole on the course when the wind picked up. I doubled there but managed to battle through. I played really nice today and I feel good after the jet lag coming back from Mexico. A lot will have to depend on the weather tomorrow. The weather controls it a lot out here. I haven’t played in a weather like this in Queenstown before so it was a little different today. The ball gets knocked around a fair bit. And you’ve just got to sort of take it as it comes. I haven’t been back to The Hills since last year. I didn’t get a practice round out there so I’ve just got to try and stay in it all week and hopefully the energy levels are up by the end of it.
Ryan Fox (NZL) First round 70 (-2)
I don’t think I have had a day like that for a long, long time. We started with a strong north-easterly and when we were standing on the 15th tee it switched to a very strong north-westerly. When we were putting on the fourth, one of the signboards blew over on 11. All of a sudden it dropped on seven and blew about three different directions coming home. Plus a couple of spits of rain, it was a strange day. I’m not sure what the weather forecast will bring for tomorrow. I don’t care if it is windy but I would like it to blow from the same direction the whole time, that would be nice.
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
The Tournament
The 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport is an event with a long history dating back to 1907 when New Zealand amateur Arthur Duncan won the first edition.
This year the purse is NZ$1.4 million, approximately US$903,000, with the winner taking home approximately US$162,580. This is the third consecutive year the event has been co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia in partnership with Japan Golf Tour (JGTO).
The event has been played in a Pro-Am format since 2014, and the amateur side of the field includes a host of New Zealand and international sports stars.
The event is one of the most popular events on Tour among the players who have made the long trip to New Zealand’s South Island. It is played in what is easily one of the most spectacular locations anywhere on Tour, Queenstown.
Zach Murray of Australia won the 2019 edition wire-to-wire by two shots over countryman Ashley Hall and New Zealander Josh Geary, in what was only his third start on the Asian Tour.
The Courses
The two courses used for the event are Millbrook Resort and The Hills, with the former measuring 6,958 yards as a par-71 and the latter 7,092 as a par-72 from the championship tees.
Being played in a Pro-Am format, the course setup may be a bit kinder than the average Asian Tour event, with wider fairways and pin positions not as difficult as usual.
Players to Watch
Zach Murray (AUS)
The defending champion should feel right at home on these courses and looked great winning this event wire-to-wire last year, in what was only his third Asian Tour start.
Having just played in the WGC-Mexico Championship last week against many of the world’s best players, the tall Australian will be hoping to rekindle the good vibes from last year’s visit to Queenstown.
Zach Murray
Joohyung Kim (KOR)
Coming off an outstanding season in 2019 when he won three Asian Development Tour (ADT) events and one Asian Tour event, Kim seems destined for a great future.
He’s already had a great start to this year by finishing in tied-21st place in Hong Kong, followed up by a fourth-place finish in Singapore which qualified the young Korean for The Open at Royal St. George’s this July.
This will be Kim’s first time playing in the New Zealand Open, but I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t be a serious contender this week.
Joohyung Kim
Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA)
After being in fine form from the middle of last year and narrowly missing out on winning his national Open in a play-off, Pavit captured the Sabah Masters crown two weeks later also in extra holes.
He is also off to a good start to this year by winning the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on the ADT in late January.
Leading the Asian Tour in Driving Distance last season with 307.5 yards, Pavit will be trying to use his power off the tee to convert the par-fives into par-fours and making a lot of birdies this week.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert
Ryan Fox (NZL)
The local hero and winner of the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth early last year, Fox was after that win ranked as high as 66th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Although he went through a rough patch after the win in Perth last season, Fox looks to have regained his form by finishing second at the European Tour and Australasian PGA Tour co-sanctioned Vic Open three weeks ago.
Playing in his national Open should give Fox extra incentive to put on a good showing this week.
Chan Kim (USA)
The highest ranked player in the field this week on the OWGR at number 75, the four-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour claimed the Japan Open title last year after having been out injured all of 2018.
A big player with tremendous power, Kim should be able to use his length off the tee to his advantage this week. This should be to Kim’s advantage since the tournament being played in a Pro-Am format and likely will not have rough as thick as at some other events.
Lucas Herbert (AUS)
The recent winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in a play-off against Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Herbert has shown he can win against a world-class field.
He is the second highest ranked player in the field this week on the OWGR at number 82.
John Catlin (USA)
The four-time winner Catlin is always a good bet to win whenever he’s in form, as shown by his hat-trick of wins in 2018.
After playing much of the early 2019 season on the European Tour, the American came back to Asia in November and added a fourth win to his collection by adding the Thailand Open in his fist week back.
With a tied-16th at the SMBC Singapore Open in January and a second in the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship the following week, Catlin may be in for another good year.
John Catlin
Kanchanaburi, Thailand, February 25: The inaugural Royal’s Cup 2020 is gearing up to be a highly anticipated event and has now been uplifted with the support of automotive giants.
With just under a fortnight to go, interest in the Royal’s Cup 2020 has been shifting to high gears with a stable of automobile giants committing to the event.
The Royal’s Cup 2020 is one of the first outings for many players who would have graduated from the Tour’s Qualifying School and tees off at the Grand Prix Golf Club from March 12-15.
The tournament is promoted by Grand Prix International, the company behind the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) which has been a major event on Thailand’s automotive scene for over 40 years.
Apart from the US$400,000 prize purse, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, MG, and Isuzu are among the brands that have come on board where their vehicles will be offered as Hole-In-One and Albatross prizes to the 150 professionals battling for top honours at the Royal’s Cup 2020.
The first player to ace any of the par-three holes during tournament play will drive home with automobiles from the likes of Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and MG respectively while the first player to record an albatross on hole 14 will drive home with a Fiat provided by Grand Prix International. A brand new Isuzu awaits on the 18th hole.
The respective car makers will enjoy the privilege of being part of the inaugural event at Grand Prix Golf Club which serves as a perfect accompaniment to the BIMS.
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul and Poom Saksansin are among the local hopefuls who have committed to the Royal’s Cup 2020 and are already looking forward to teeing up at the inaugural event.
“My wife and I recently welcomed our first child, Vera and a new car would certainly be a welcome present for us. It’s great to see the tournament receiving such amazing support and I’m sure all the players are going to set their sights on the par-three holes and play more attention to these holes.
“My form over the last season and the start of this season has been good and I am looking forward to competing on home soil,” said Gunn.
Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, Cho Minn Thant said: “The impressive line-up of vehicles that will be offered as prizes for our members as well as the commitment shown by the various car makers for the Royal’s Cup 2020 is a strong testament to the appeal of professional golf in Thailand and the Asian Tour. We’re looking forward to a memorable week in what will be the Tour’s maiden visit to Kanchanaburi next month.”
Queenstown, New Zealand, February 25: Korea’s Joohyung Kim is ready to rise to the occasion again as he makes his debut at the 101st New Zealand, presented by Sky Sport which starts on Thursday.
The 17-year-old will be hoping not to get too distracted by the stunning views that Queenstown has to offer when the tournament tees off.
After striking off two items on his bucket list, Kim is now hoping to add another tick, starting with his move on the Official World Golf Ranking where he is currently in 141st place.
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert believes his latest win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last month will reignite his title bid after stuttering start where he missed the cut in Hong Kong and finished tied-59th in Singapore.
The two-time Asian Tour winner has finished tied-29th twice in his last two previous appearances at the New Zealand Open in 2018 and 2019.
While Kim and Pavit are proven winners on the Asian Tour, Kosuke Hamamoto is seeking his breakthrough after enjoying a solid rookie season in 2019 where he finished in 31st place on the Order of Merit following two top-10s
The 20-year-old, whose father is Japanese and mother is Thai, fell short of his maiden win in Chinese Taipei last year with a second-place finish when he finished in second place and is relishing the opportunity to put himself into contention this week.
A professional field of 152 players will play the first two rounds alternately at Millbrook Resort and The Hills before the second round cut of 60 and ties. The final two rounds will be played at Millbrook.
The tournament also hosts 152 amateur players, each partnering with a Professional in a two-man best-ball event, competing for the NZ Pro-Am Championship.
Ends.
Zach Murray (AUS)
I just landed in this morning and it’s been a pretty big day and a half for me but I’m feeling pretty good. I just had a nice pie from the bakery in Arrowtown so that’s fixed me up pretty good. It was an amazing week last week in Mexico and then the last 12 months has been a bit of a blur for me really. It’s been a lot of, obviously starting really here last year I sort of kick-started me for 2019 and I played quite well up in Asia and in the co-sanctioned stuff and then was able to finish the year decent at the PGA and get my European Tour card so that was a huge bonus for me. I’m feeling pretty good. I had a fair bit of sleep on the plane and the last few months my swing has been feeling pretty consistent. Obviously last week, I get a lot of confidence from that and then I think I’ve said it all along this is one of my favourite places in the world, Queenstown and coming here I was really excited. When I rocked up to the hotel this morning my photo was in the front of the hotel so that was quite strange. It’s just so cool. I’m super excited and I think just getting those feelings back of last year and I’m playing here tomorrow but playing at The Hills on Friday and sort of maybe going down the 18th it’s the next time I’ve been down there since last year that’ll be pretty cool. There were a lot of nerves flowing there last year so probably not as many on Friday but hopefully I can reignite that stuff and get the lead on Sunday.
Geoff Ogilvy (AUS)
It has been a change since I moved back to Australia after 20 years in America. Doing the school run a lot more, not getting on a plane every Sunday night has been nice. Getting used to that and settling the family down in Australia has been cool. I am going to play a bit more. I am certainly not done. I’d like to think I can have my cake and eat it – be a good dad at home and still play a few tournaments around the world. The US Open is back at Winged Foot this year and I try to play a little patch around that and see if I can get through and have to qualify for that. The game is changing and getting a bit younger and more powerful but while you lose a little in length, you gain it in experience, so golf looks after to you a bit. In other sports the manager says you are done, go do something else. But golf doesn’t do that. There’s plenty of time, I am not in a hurry to do anything.
Michael Campbell (NZL)
I’m back to my fighting weight you could say. I’m down to 90 kilos which is what I was when I was playing which is nice. The only thing that’s lacking really is a bit of match practice, competitive rounds. I haven’t played since November so once again coming into this tournament I’m not expecting too much. I just want to support the New Zealand Open obviously and support my sponsor Manuka Doctor, who brought me over here. He’s been instigating the whole thing about me returning to New Zealand which is fantastic. So without his help and stuff like that I wouldn’t be here. It’s nice to be here. Both courses are fantastic. In great condition, wow. The Hills and in here (Millbrook) it’s a bit more lush, a bit more green, the rough is definitely longer than it was last year. I’m playing with another Major Champion, Geoff (Ogilvy), a very good friend of mine so it’s going to be fun playing with him and my sponsor Matt.
Joohyun Kim (KOR)
I’ve never been to a golf tournament where I’m always taking out my phone to take pictures. But I’m doing it all the time here. The views here are simply amazing. It’s going to be an exciting week. I’m pretty sure of that. I’ve prepared well for this tournament and hopefully the results will show again. Obviously, qualifying for The Open in Singapore last month was a very big achievement for me. And also, winning my first Asian Tour title in India last year. I want to break into the top-100 in the world ranking now. I know I’m in a good position and I’ve a lot of tournaments lining up. So, hopefully I can do that because the Asian Tour will present me with those opportunities for me to do well.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA)
This is my third time here and it’s always a joy to be here. It’s so beautiful and I just love everything here. I love the course here and it’s also good fun playing with the amateurs with this kind of format. It was nice to win again on the Asian Tour after three years with that victory in Sabah last year. I didn’t play too well in his first two events in Hong Kong and Singapore this year. Then I got another win on the ADT at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship last month which is another huge confidence booster. That win was timely because I felt I was really swinging very badly in those two events. I managed to address them and went on to win again. So all these are good signs that my good form is returning.
Kosuke Hamamoto (THA)
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this place and I’m finally here. I’m so happy of what I’ve managed to achieve as a rookie last year and with my second year on Tour now, I’m going to set some new goals and keep progressing. To be honest, the first goal is to get that first win on the Asian Tour and as a professional. But I know I have to keep staying patient and keep myself chances. You cannot hurry things but the goal is for that breakthrough.
Hua Hin, Thailand, February 23: Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith restored his much-needed confidence after closing with a one-under-par 70 to finish top of the class with a one-shot victory at the Final Stage of the 2020 Asian Tour Qualifying School on Sunday.
Playing in his third straight attempt at the Qualifying School, the 23-year-old led the grueling 90-hole battle from the second round before carding three birdies against two bogeys for a five-day total of 15-under-par 340 at the Lake View Resort and Golf Club.
HUA HIN – THAILAND – Benjamin Follett-Smith of Zimbabwe pictured with the Asian Tour player’s badge on Sunday February 23, 2020, during the final round of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Follett-Smith, a one-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, was among the 35 graduates, who successfully secured their Asian Tour cards for the 2020 season after finishing inside top-35 and ties at the conclusion of the fifth and final round which was held on the A&B course.
Australian Will Heffernan, who had advanced from the First Stage of the Qualifying School last week, made it a memorable two-week run after signing for a solid 66 to take second place. Like Follett-Smith, Heffernan also proved third time lucky in his Qualifying School attempt.
Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski successfully regained his Tour card after enduring a disappointing 2019 season. A closing 71 saw him share third place on 343 with 19-year-old Burmese Hein Sithu, who lived up to expectations by closing with a second straight 69.
HUA HIN – THAILAND – Left to right – Hein Sithu of Myanmar and Will Heffernan of Australia pictured together on the 14th green on Sunday February 23, 2020, during the final round of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Other notable graduates include Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna, Korean hotshot Bio Kim, as well as former Asian Tour champions Scott Strange of Australia, Natipong Srithong of Thailand and Masanori Kobayashi of Japan.
The 35 graduates feature players from Korea (8), Thailand (6), Australia (5), South Africa (3), Sweden (3), United States (2), Japan (2), France (1), India (1), Ireland (1), Myanmar (1), Philippines (1) and Zimbabwe (1).
The 2020 Asian Tour Qualifying School, which comprised of two stages – First Stage and Final stage, attracted a total of 458 entries from 37 countries across the globe.
Players who compete in the 2020 Qualifying School will also be eligible to play on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), which was launched in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour.
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