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.
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.
A day after recording a hole-in-one, New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori carded a sensational 63 to upstage big names such as former champions Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott on day two at the Australian PGA, before darkness suspended play Friday at Royal Queensland.
One moment in round two at the Australian PGA was a snapshot that explains why Steve Williams was one of history’s greatest golf whisperers. He’s caddieing for Anthony Quayle, in contention at Royal Queensland this week, and next.
Alex Noren captured the British Masters, defeating Kiwi Kazuma Kobori by a shot, but it was the Dane’s qualification for next month’s Ryder Cup that captured just as much attention.
The very best of New Zealand men’s golf are en route to the BMW Australian PGA Championship with two-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox to lead a resurgent Kiwi assault at Royal Queensland Golf Club.
Reigning Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit champion Kazuma Kobori and DP World Tour winner Daniel Hillier are locked in to head the New Zealand challenge at our two primary golf tournaments.
Ask those who have spent the summer finishing second to Kazuma Kobori on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and you invariably get the same response:
Gale is eyeing one of the three cards on the DP World Tour on offer, a target that is now clearly in view with just two events left in the PGA Tour of Australasia season.
Gale now has the DP World Tour in his sights, with a jump on the Order of Merit potentially putting one of the three available cards in reach with two tournaments remaining on this season of the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Finally getting the chance to show off its best side after the two previous tournaments were hampered by heavy rain, the Cypress Lakes course is becoming familiar for the tour’s regulars, even more so for those who competed in Jack Newton Junior Golf events here as youngsters.
The former amateur star was excited to learn his third win in his 10th start as a professional means Kobori has the same win record as Tiger Woods at the same stage of his early life as a pro.
With back-to-back victories at Webex Players Series Murray River and Victoria, the 22-year-old New Zealander has rocketed to No.2 in this season’s Order of Merit.
Australian Golf Digest
