When speaking to Josh Geary he was very quick to point out a
New Zealander has not won their National Open since 2003.

It’s a fact on every Kiwi players mind this week at the BMW ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open.

However this year could be the Kiwi contingent’s best chance of breaking the drought with plenty of their leading players in peak form.

"It would mean a lot to me and a lot of New Zealanders to have a Kiwi champion again. It’s been 13 years," said Josh Geary.

"If it’s not me then I would like for it be someone else from New Zealand. It would be nice to break that streak."

"However it shows how strong the competition is, a lot of the good Australians play every year, which is good because it keeps pushing us."

Despite not having his "A" game last week, Josh Geary finished runner-up at the Holden NZ PGA Championship and the leading New Zealand player.

"My long game wasn’t quite there, especially off the tee. So I wasn’t in play as much as I usually am. If I can get that sorted out then I will be very close to my best.

"I am just basically going to take it as it comes. Hopefully I can push for a win,"

This week Geary returns to The Hills, a course he has played well on in the past, full of confidence that a Kiwi can win the title.

"I always love coming back here, I have had some success here in the past. I am looking forward to a good week," added Geary who won three times on the PGA TOUR China last year.

"When I have been in contention in New Zealand I just feel like I haven’t been playing quite as good as when I have been in contention overseas."

"It’s not so much the pressure, even though I have been around the lead, I haven’t been playing my best golf."

"It probably is a little harder to cross the line at home. But it makes it easier to win when you are playing well and scoring well."

The BMW ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open tees off on Thursday at The Hills and Millbrook Resort with the champion to be decided on Sunday at The Hills.