New Zealand Open: Rd 2 Highlights

Published on February 28, 2020

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Queenstown, New Zealand, February 28: Korean teenage prodigy Joohyung Kim remains the boy to catch as he signed for a four-under-par 68 to take the second round lead at the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport on Friday.

Playing at The Hills, the 17-year-old showed why he is fast becoming one of the rising stars from the Asian Tour by continuing to feature prominently on the leaderboard with his two-day total of 11-under-par 132.

Qualifying School graduate Ben Eccles of Australia resumed his whirlwind adventure on the Asian Tour by firing a 68 to trail Kim by one shot in second place while Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert posted the day’s lowest round with a 64 at The Hills to share third place with Australia’s Lucas Herbert.

Eccles secured his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Hua Hin, Thailand last week before receiving a late call up for the tournament, having been on the reserve list.

The Australian opened with a 65 at the Millbrook Resort before his second round 68 put him well on track for his first victory as a professional, having claimed a debut victory in the 2015 NSW Open as an amateur.

Pavit’s game also caught fire as he signed for a bogey-free 64. Having gone five-over in his opening five holes in the first round, the Thai knows his mental strength will be key as he eyes a weekend charge.

The weekend cut was set at even-par.

Simultaneous to the tournament, a Pro-Am competition has also been played with a two-ball-best-ball format this week.

Apart from the 77 professionals who will progress to the weekend rounds at Millbrook Resort, the top 40 pro-am teams will also continue to compete in round three of the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship at Millbrook Resort.

A second cut will then be made in the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship after the third round with only the top-10 pro-am teams making it into the fourth round.

Ends.

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Joohyung Kim (KOR) Second round 68 (-4), Total 132 (-11)
I played really well. With the tough conditions, it was not easy. But I managed myself really well and hope I can keep it up at the weekend. I have been working really hard and it is nice the scores have matched the work. I am still not at the top and I am trying to learn every day from the guys who are way more experienced than me. I am very fortunate that the veterans have been very nice to me and tell me how to play golf, how to play my best. My ball striking has been good. On this course if you are not in play, it is really hard to go around. Tomorrow is only the third round to be honest. I am in the halfway lead but there are so many big names just one or two shots away and those guys, when it comes to the intense moments, they always deliver. I just have to bring my A-game, stick to the game plan and play the best I can.

Ben Eccles (AUS) Second round 68 (-4) Total 133 (-10)
I earned my Asian Tour card last week and we thought we travel anyway, but we got the call on Wednesday morning saying I was in. We were going to have a two-week holiday regardless of what happened so it’s just a bonus to be playing. Yesterday I played awesome, in those conditions as well it just all came together. This morning I got off to a fast start – eagle, birdie, birdie. It awesome, it’s an amazing feeling and hopefully I can keep going. I just wanted to keep enjoying it, that’s been the main thing for me this week. The game still feels pretty strong, particularly the last couple of months. Mentally I’m enjoying it more, I want to be out there playing. The rough is up this year, which is going to make it interesting over the weekend.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) Second round 64 (-8) Total 134 (-9)
I’m very pleased with how I’ve played today especially with my driver as I managed to hit most of the fairways. I love this course as it favours the long hitters like me. I made a lot of putts today too. So overall, I’m very happy. I was five-over after the first five holes yesterday and I told myself I had to forget everything then and try to move on. The weather was so bad yesterday. It was windy, cold and was raining. It was like my win in Sabah last year where I made a strong comeback to win. I just told myself to regain my focus and as long as I can do that, I still have a chance.

Wade Ormsby (AUS) Second round 71 (-1) Total 136 (-7)
It was a bit of a messy start out there. I just couldn’t find my rhythm. I warmed up fine but on some days in golf, it just gets away from you. I was fighting hard and I knew I was playing well so I got some momentum through the turn there and could have made a lot more actually. So overall, I’m pretty happy with that. Since my win in Hong Kong, I’ve had three events where I haven’t played that well so it’s nice to be back in a bit of form. Obviously having won so recently , I’ll try to draw on those winning experiences where you are in the hunt and try to do that again this week.

Published on February 27, 2020

Queenstown, New Zealand, February 27: Korea’s Joohyung Kim continued to underline his growing credentials as he took the opening round lead with a seven-under-par 64 at the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport on Thursday.

Australia’s Ben Eccles, who received a late entry after being a reserve for the tournament, also showed his good form by signing for a 65 to share second place with compatriots Wade Ormsby and Brad Kennedy.

Eccles had earlier earned his Asian Tour card with a tied-17th finish at Qualifying School last week.

It was a welcome return to form for Ormsby, who currently leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit. The three-time Asian Tour winner got his season off to a good start with his win in Hong Kong but missed consecutive cuts in his last three events on the European Tour.

Kim, who chose Tom as a suitable first name because he was a fan of the Thomas the Tank Engine television series, won three times on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) to earn his promotion to the Asian Tour in 2019.

He then went on to clinch his breakthrough victory in India last November to become the second youngest professional player to win on the Asian Tour at 17 years and 149 days

Kim started promisingly at the Millbrook Resort with an opening birdie on his par-four first hole before adding two more birdies on holes six and nine under gusty conditions at The Millbrook Resort.

He soared with an eagle-three on 10 before dropping his only shot of the day on 12. The 17-year-old then charged home with another three birdies on 14, 16 and 18 to take a one-shot lead over the Australian trio.

Defending champion Zach Murray of Australia posted an opening 68 at the Millbrook Resort to stay four shots back of Kim in a share of 11th place.

Ends.

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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.

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By. V. Krishnaswamy

Swamy is one of India’s leading sports writers, who has covered over 20 Majors and 250 international golf tournaments.

Florida, United States, February 26: Arjun Atwal chipped in for an eagle in a play-off and won. It was not for a title but a spot into the $7 million Honda Classic on the PGA Tour this week. The Honda Classic has the toughest Monday Qualifier on the PGA Tour; so much so some even call as the “Super Bowl” of Monday qualifiers in golf because it comes only once a year!

Atwal finished his final round in Puerto Rico on Sunday and took a flight out to Florida to play the Monday Qualifier.

He shot 67, while three others had 66 each and there were four spots. Canada’s Adam Svensson also shot 67, so there was a play-off. Atwal chipped in for an eagle and grabbed the last spot.

Monday Qualifiers are a really long shot at getting into a tournament, let alone win it. The entry costs $ 450 and a lot of heartbreaks. This year there were 458 starters for Pre-qualifiers and the Final Qualifier and only four spots were available.

But Atwal loves the adrenaline, he once said. In 2010, he won a Monday Qualifier for Wyndham Championship and became only the third man since 1986 to win a tournament through that route.

Kenny Knox did it at Honda Classic in 1986; Fred Wadsworth did the same at Southern Open the same year; and Atwal did I tin 2010 at Wyndham. Last year Corey Conners joined the exclusive club by ‘Monday Qualifying’ and winning Texas Open.

Atwal has a thing for Monday Qualifiers. After the 2010 Wyndham success, he came through a Monday Qualifier again last year at 3M Open and was in contention for first two days – he was fourth and seventh and still in Top-10 after 54 holes before slipping to T-23 on Sunday. Rookie Matthew Wolff won his maiden title.

This year’s Honda Classic Monday Qualifier had 13 different PGA TOUR winners, including Atwal at Banyan Cay. The players, from more than a dozen different countries, had a combined 23 European Tour wins and 41 Korn Ferry Tour wins. The field’s total PGA TOUR earnings was in excess of $212 million.

The names included the likes of Tour winners, Jonathan Byrd, David Lingmerth and Atwal; veteran Australians John Senden and Robert Allenby; 2016 Olympian Seamus Power of Ireland; and Arnold Palmer’s grandson Sam Saunders.

Atwal, 46, born in Asansol, India went to College in the US and turned pro in 1995. He has one PGA Tour win – the only one ever by an Indian – besides three European Tour and eight Asian Tour wins. He also has a win on the Korn Ferry Tour. He was Asian Tour No. 1 in 2003.

Not every event has a Monday qualifiers – THE PLAYERS Championship, the four majors, the World Golf Championships events, the FedExCup Playoffs or invitation-only events don’t have any qualifiers.

But when there is one, there is a good chance that Atwal, if he is not already in the field, will be there to have a go.

Published on February 26, 2020

Queenstown, New Zealand, February 26: Defending champion Zach Murray of Australia is eager for more success after completing a long-haul flight from Mexico, in time to defend his title at the 101st New Zealand Open present by Sky Sport which starts on Thursday.

After competing in his maiden World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship where he finished tied-48th last week, the 22-year-old returns to familiar winning grounds in Queenstown where he won his first title as a professional last year.

It was also Murray’s first win in his third start on the Asian Tour since he graduated from Qualifying School in December 2018.

Major winners Michael Campbell of New Zealand along with Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy are also among the 156 professionals who will join 156 amateurs for the tournament at Millbrook Resort and The Hills.

Ogilvy spent much of the year settling his family into life in Australia after spending a large part of his life in the United States where he won the 2006 US Open.

While he concedes he may not be able to beat his younger rivals in distance now, the 42-year-old is hopeful his vast experience can still put him in good stead for a good showing this week.

Campbell, who headed Tiger Woods by two shots at Pinehurst in 2005 to secure a place in golfing history, returned to the game at the New Zealand Open last year.

The 2000 New Zealand Open champion is pleased to be in good shape physically, but admittedly felt that he is lacking in tournament play after being unable to secure regular starts on the Seniors Tour.

The tournament tees off with 156 professionals and 156 amateurs playing at Millbrook Resort and The Hills, before the cut for the final two rounds are played at Millbrook Resort.

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.

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By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional

The Tournament

The 101^st 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-21^st 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 66^th 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-16^th 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

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Chinese Taipei, February 26: The US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) will celebrate its 11th consecutive edition when it is once again hosted at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club from October 8-11.

The Yeangder TPC made its debut on the Asian Tour in 2010 where it initially offered a prize purse of US$300,000 for the first two years before the kitty was further raised to US$500,000 in 2012.

Since it first featured on the Asian Tour schedule a decade ago, the Yeangder TPC has established itself as a highly popular event for both players and fans in Chinese Taipei.

It has also recorded several significant milestones in the tournament’s illustrious history.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar holds the honour of the largest winning margin when he triumphed by four shots over American Jason Knutzon and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant in 2012.

Thaworn, who won the inaugural Yeangder TPC in 2010, is the first and only player to have won the event more than once as he would emerge victorious again in 2013.

American John Catlin won the 2018 Yeangder TPC for his third Asian Tour title in 2018 and his winning total of 15-under-par 273 remains as the lowest recorded score in the tournament’s history.

On the home front, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-chih remains the only local player to have won the event in 2011.

Mr. Emmet Hsu, Chairman of the Yeangder Group said: “The Yeangder TPC has enjoyed great success and welcomed many worthy champions since it was inaugurated in 2010. These are certainly exciting times for golf in Asia with the rise of many good players from this part of the world. We look forward to seeing many of these best players from the Asian Tour when the Yeangder TPC returns in October.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour said: “The Yeangder TPC, which is celebrating its 11th consecutive edition this year, has always attracted some of the best talents from the Asian Tour while also giving opportunities to others to compete against the best.

“It is one of the most popular events on the Asian Tour, made possible by the continued support from Mr. Emmet Hsu and his team. We look forward to returning to its regular host venue at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in October.”

The Yeangder TPC is one of two Asian Tour tournaments to be staged annually in Chinese Taipei, with the other being the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Ends.

Published on February 25, 2020

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 18^th 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.”

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AxOkHOP3M8[/embedyt]

Korean teenage prodigy Joohyung Kim remains the boy to catch as he signed for a four-under-par 68 to take the second round lead at the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

Eccles secured his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Hua Hin, Thailand last week before receiving a late call up for the tournament, having been on the reserve list.

The weekend cut was set at even-par.

Simultaneous to the tournament, a Pro-Am competition has also been played with a two-ball-best-ball format this week.

A second cut will then be made in the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship after the third round with only the top-10 pro-am teams making it into the fourth round.

Ends.

Read what leading players have to say after their second round at this week’s 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

Korea’s Joohyung Kim continued to underline his growing credentials as he took the opening round lead with a seven-under-par 64 at the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

Eccles had earlier earned his Asian Tour card with a tied-17th finish at Qualifying School last week.

He then went on to clinch his breakthrough victory in India last November to become the second youngest professional player to win on the Asian Tour at 17 years and 149 days

Kim started promisingly at the Millbrook Resort with an opening birdie on his par-four first hole before adding two more birdies on holes six and nine under gusty conditions at The Millbrook Resort.

Defending champion Zach Murray of Australia posted an opening 68 at the Millbrook Resort to stay four shots back of Kim in a share of 11th place.

Ends.

Read what leading contenders for the 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport have to say after their opening round.

Arjun Atwal chipped in for an eagle in a play-off and won. It was not for a title but a spot into the $7 million Honda Classic on the PGA Tour this week.

By. V. Krishnaswamy

Swamy is one of India’s leading sports writers, who has covered over 20 Majors and 250 international golf tournaments.

Atwal finished his final round in Puerto Rico on Sunday and took a flight out to Florida to play the Monday Qualifier.

He shot 67, while three others had 66 each and there were four spots. Canada’s Adam Svensson also shot 67, so there was a play-off. Atwal chipped in for an eagle and grabbed the last spot.

But Atwal loves the adrenaline, he once said. In 2010, he won a Monday Qualifier for Wyndham Championship and became only the third man since 1986 to win a tournament through that route.

But when there is one, there is a good chance that Atwal, if he is not already in the field, will be there to have a go.

Queenstown, New Zealand, February 26: Defending champion Zach Murray of Australia is eager for more success after completing a long-haul flight from Mexico, in time to defend his title at the 101st New Zealand Open present by Sky Sport which starts on Thursday. After competing in his maiden World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship where he finished […]

It was also Murray’s first win in his third start on the Asian Tour since he graduated from Qualifying School in December 2018.

Ogilvy spent much of the year settling his family into life in Australia after spending a large part of his life in the United States where he won the 2006 US Open.

While he concedes he may not be able to beat his younger rivals in distance now, the 42-year-old is hopeful his vast experience can still put him in good stead for a good showing this week.

Campbell, who headed Tiger Woods by two shots at Pinehurst in 2005 to secure a place in golfing history, returned to the game at the New Zealand Open last year.

The tournament tees off with 156 professionals and 156 amateurs playing at Millbrook Resort and The Hills, before the cut for the final two rounds are played at Millbrook Resort.

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.

An inside look at this week’s 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional

The Tournament

The 101^st 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 66^th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

Playing in his national Open should give Fox extra incentive to put on a good showing this week.

Chan Kim (USA)

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.

With a tied-16^th 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

The US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) will celebrate its 11th consecutive edition when it is once again hosted at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club from October 8-11.