With just a week to go until the 100^th New Zealand Open tees off in Queenstown, Nick Voke, one of this country’s most exciting young golfers, has confirmed his start in the tournament.

The 24-year-old will play in the NZD$1.3m event from 28 February to 3 March at Millbrook Resort and The Hills, an event co-sanctioned with the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

The Aucklander climbed to #240 in the world rankings in his first year as a professional, finishing in a share of seventh place at the 2018 New Zealand Open. He made a late start to the burgeoning PGA Tour China and incredibly claimed three wins and a share of fourth place in the final five events to finish third overall on their Order of Merit.

His rapid early success gained him status on to the Web.Com Tour for 2019.

Before turning professional, Voke carved out an outstanding amateur career including five college victories and the 2017 NCAA Regionals title with Iowa State University. He was also a standout for New Zealand including a T10 finish at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship staged at Royal Wellington Golf Club.

Voke has recently returned from his Web.Com Tour debut in the unfamiliar surrounds of Colombia: “It was a big jump in the deep end and there were lots of things to sort out in a foreign country. I’m a big fan of continuous improvement and development. It’s harder to learn when you’re lifting trophies and much easier when adversity slaps that lesson right across your face,” he says.

New Zealand Open Tournament Director Michael Glading says they are thrilled to have Voke in the field.

“This is naturally a very special New Zealand Open, especially when you have the likes of Sir Bob Charles, Michael Campbell and many others in our midst who have been such an integral part of the fabric of our game,” he says.

“At the same time, it is important to look ahead at the next generation of players in this country who will take the game forward. Nick Voke is a very exciting prospect in this regard, both as an accomplished amateur and one who has made a spectacular start to his professional career.

“He likes these courses as he showed last year. He has the potential to put some real pressure on other competitors this year. He’s definitely one to watch.”