New South Welshman Travis Smyth is closing in on a spot in next month’s US PGA Championship after making an eagle at the final hole to win the International Series Japan event on the Asian Tour.
A sensational late Saturday afternoon surge from New Zealand’s Daniel Hiller has handed him a golden opportunity to claim the 105th New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort.
Stunning practice-round weather gave way to rain on the opening day of the championship, as temperatures plummeted and forced players to play improvised and resourceful golf in challenging conditions at Millbrook Resort near Queenstown.
A wet Queenstown summer has produced juicier than normal rough for the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort this week and it’s already forced hometown favourite Ben Campbell into a strategy change as he tries to win his national title for the first time.
It’s a huge week in the Order of Merit race with 760 points going to the winner – four times the points on offer most weeks on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season.
Sure to attract plenty of support from the local fans, the contingent includes Kazuma Kobori, Michael Hendry, Nick Voke, Kerry Mountcastle, Josh Geary and Tyler Hodge – all established winners on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
Kiwi hopes rest on the shoulders of Michael Hendry and Harry Bateman, who both sit four shots off the lead, and Kieran Muir, who is a further shot adrift.
Australian Golf Digest
