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Unheralded Kiwi rookie Cameron Harlock has turned a tournament invitation into a potential maiden professional win at the Wallace Development New Zealand PGA Championship at Hastings Golf Club.
On a day in which the leaders stalled and contenders came from the clouds, Harlock’s eagle on the par-5 17th in his round of 5-under 67 was enough to nudge one clear of a congested leaderboard at 14-under par.
Queensland’s Shae Wools-Cobb (67) and Kiwi left-hander Tyler Hodge (70) share second at 13-under par with 16-year-old amateur Cooper Moore (71) and another New Zealander, Denzel Ieremia (66) tied for fourth at 12-under.
Nineteen players will start Sunday within five strokes of the lead, Harlock suddenly thrust to the front in just his second start on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
Out in 3-under, Harlock made bogey at the par-4 11th for the second straight day before forging to the front-running position with a birdie at 14 and eagle at 17.
“I felt like I had a good number and it came out pretty awfully to be honest,” Harlock said of his second shot into the par-5.
“It surprised me a little bit but was probably one of those ones where it was so bad that it was actually in an OK spot.
“I had about 40 metres left and it wasn’t an easy shot but just tried to hit the best shot that I could and it just dropped in the front edge.”
After playing his way into the Vic Open last month by winning the Monday qualifier at Curlewis, Harlock was given a crash course in professional golf education during a practice round with Aussie veterans Sam Brazel, Marcus Fraser and Matt Millar.
Although he would miss the cut at 13th Beach, Harlock said it was an invaluable learning experience less than a year after graduating from Boston College.
“Getting those guys to steer me around and just see how they worked and their practice round was actually a massive benefit,” said the Auckland native
“It feels like a strange thing to say, but they looked like they were relaxed and they had their processes and plans and then outside of that, they were just really, really good guys.”
Another with limited playing opportunities of late has been Wools-Cobb.
Due to his current category, Wools-Cobb has played just two events since the start of the year, a heart-to-heart with coach John Wright unlocking his love for the game again.
“I just feel really happy out there. It’s just a light bulb moment kind of thing,” said Wools-Cobb.
“I feel like I had a really good chat with my coach, John Wright after WA (Webex Players Series Perth). He pretty much pulled me into gear to say, ‘Just work harder.’
“There were a few weaker areas that we noticed in my golf swing that break down when I’m under pressure so I’ve really dedicated myself to gym work, getting a bit more flexibility and movement.”
The biggest moves on Saturday came from Newcastle rookie Jye Pickin and perennial contender this season, Jake McLeod.
Pickin and McLeod both shot rounds of 7-under 65 in Round 3 to be tied for sixth and just three strokes off the lead.
Pickin has missed the cut in each of his previous three starts while McLeod’s runner-up finish to Nick Voke at Webex Players Series Sydney was his third top-five finish of the season.
One-under playing the back nine on Friday, McLeod shot 3-under in his final eight holes to make the cut. He intends to carry through a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality as he chases a first win since the 2018 NSW Open.
“If you just made the cut, you can’t really go backwards so there’s only forwards,” said McLeod, who had six birdies and an eagle in his round of 7-under.
“Obviously running down the leaderboard here is not going to do anything on the Order of Merit so you need to try your luck and push pretty hard I reckon.”
The final round of the Wallace Development PGA Championship tees off at 8:15am AEDT.
Photo: Simon Watts/BW Media
Teen phenom Cooper Moore is hunting a piece of history after charging into a share of the lead on day two of the Wallace Development New Zealand PGA Championship.
On the back of a round of 5-under 67 in challenging conditions on Thursday, Moore took full advantage of the calmer, warmer weather in Friday’s second round to shoot 6-under 66 to be 11-under through 36 holes at Hastings Golf Club.
He shares top spot with fellow Kiwis Tyler Hodge (64) and Chang Gi Lee (66) and in-form Queenslander Anthony Quayle (66), a two-time winner on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
The quartet have a one-stroke advantage from overnight leader Austin Bautista (69) with another Kiwi, Cameron Harlock, sitting in sixth place at 9-under after a round of 5-under 67.
But all eyes will be on the 16-year-old Year 12 student from Christchurch in Round 3 as he seeks to become the youngest winner on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia in the modern era.
Inspired by the deeds of countryman Kazuma Kobori on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia last season, Moore is currently weighing up whether to attend college in the United States next year or begin his professional career closer to home.
A win this weekend by the reigning New Zealand Amateur champion – the second youngest in championship history – would guarantee a two-year winner’s category before he even joins the pro ranks.
“I’ve got a decision to make soon if I want to go to college or if I want to try and make it as a pro on the Aussie Tour, I guess,” said Moore, who discussed his options with world No.138 Daniel Hillier during a practice round ahead of last week’s New Zealand Open.
“It’s pretty cool what Kazuma has done. I’ve played with him probably the last three years and looked up to him, same as Dan. Seeing what he’s done was pretty cool.”
Second at The R&A Junior Open last July, Moore just missed the cut in his NZ Open debut at Millbrook Resort but suddenly looks very comfortable at the professional level.
Starting Round 2 from the 10th tee, Moore turned in 2-under and then reeled off three birdies in four holes after the turn. After a bogey at the par-4 fifth, he responded by hitting hybrid from 212 metres into the par-5 sixth, going on to convert the eagle chance from 35 feet.
Played as a non-Tour event in 2024 at Hastings Golf Club, Lee was paired with Moore 12 months ago and was stunned to learn his tender age.
“Is that how old he is? Sixteen? Oh, wow. Yeah, I didn’t know that,” said Lee, who has just one bogey through 36 holes and spent much of 2024 playing the Korean PGA Tour.
“He’s obviously a really good golfer and he’s improved a lot since then, too.
“You could see he was really, really good, but he’s just doing his thing and playing well almost every week, it seems like.”
With exceptional playing surfaces and perfect weather, players were free to go on the attack on day two.
Queenslander Tim Hart’s best-of-the-day 8-under 64 elevated him inside the top 10 after starting the day tied for 81st, Hodge matching that to join the four-way tie at the top as both fell one shot shy of the course record.
A total of 15 players shot rounds of 6-under or better on Friday, 52 players making the cut that fell at 3-under par.
Photo: Simon Watts/bwmedia.co.nz
A lesson in wedge-game wizardry from former world No.16 Nick O’Hern has propelled Austin Bautista to a two-shot lead on day one of the Wallace Development New Zealand PGA Championship.
The immaculately presented Hastings Golf Club was buffeted by wind and showers on a cool Thursday in Bridge Pa, yet Bautista got off to a hot start in a round of 7-under 65.
Order of Merit hopeful Anthony Quayle continued his run of good form with a 5-under 67 to sit in second spot alongside Andrew Evans, Victorian Kyle Michel and 16-year-old New Zealand Amateur champion, Cooper Moore.
Three-under through five holes with four birdies and his only bogey of the day, two-time Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia winner Bautista birdied three of the four par-3s, his best coming at the 179-metre par-3 eighth when he hit 6-iron directly into the teeth of the wind to 15 feet.
The New South Welshman shot 3-under on the back nine with birdies at 11, 12 and 16, revealing that a pro-am pairing with O’Hern at the Vic Open highlighted the area of his game that needed extra attention.
“He said he was rusty, but he was putting his wedges inside of mine consistently from 100 (metres) in,” said Bautista.
“I can admit it when I need to get better in an area, so I asked him what I needed to work on.
“He very generously gave me a call to really hone in on improving that area from 125 and in. And it was night and day.
“I immediately saw improvement and immediately saw how to practise the correct way.
“Nick said, ‘If you’re going to beat the best, you need to be world-class in this area’. He really helped me in what I need to work on so I can consistently put the ball close to the hole with the scoring clubs.”
Tied for third in brutal conditions at the Vic Open, Bautista is getting more comfortable with a grip change he instituted almost a year ago and is benefiting from an adjustment to his putting setup made by Titleist fitting technician, Alex Dudley-Bateman.
“It’s as good as I’ve seen it ever,” Bautista said of his current run of form. “And it’s been consistent for probably four to five months now.
“I had to get honest and realise the thing that I was not doing correctly.
“This is where I should be. I’m exactly where I need to be.”
With five top-five finishes this season, Quayle is again poised to add to his wins at the 2020 Queensland Open and 2022 Queensland PGA.
He shot 5-under in the morning wave and was joined late by Evans, Moore and Michel two shots off the lead.
Hailing from Christchurch, Moore continues to impress. Second at The R&A Junior Open in Scotland last July, Moore only just missed the cut in his New Zealand Open debut a week ago and closed with three birdies in his final five holes on Thursday to sit two back of Bautista.
Moore became the second youngest winner in NZ Amateur history last November. The youngest, Queenslander and 2023 NZ PGA champion Louis Dobbelaar, is one of six players at 4-under par.
Two players withdrew due to injury on day one, Victorian Andrew Martin unable to continue after playing nine holes while West Australian Josh Greer withdrew after completing his round.
Golf Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Kulacz as the new High Performance Manager (HPM) for Western Australia.
Kulacz, a former Golf Australia Rookie Squad member himself and two-time winner on the Asian Tour, brings valuable competitive experience to the role.
He will join the Golf Australia team in early March and undergo several months of integration with the High Performance team before officially commencing in the Golf WA role after the Australian Interstate Teams matches which take place in Perth early May.
Brad James, General Manager of High Performance at Golf Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment.
“We are excited to have Rick as part of the team and, more importantly, having a full-time role delivering a program that we feel the athletes, both amateur and professional, will benefit from.”
The appointment represents an increased commitment from Golf Australia, which will provide enhanced financial and resource support for the Western Australian high-performance program.
“We are determined to continue the success that WA has had in producing exceptional people and athletes like the current crop of world-class golfers in Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, and Min Woo Lee – alongside rookie athletes such as Kirsten Rudgeley,” added James.
This strategic appointment reinforces Golf Australia’s dedication to developing elite talent across the country and particularly in Western Australia, which has become known for producing world-class golfers.
Australian Golf has announced the extension of its partnership with BMW Australia for a further term, solidifying the premium automotive leader’s commitment to the growth and promotion of golf in the country.
This extension builds upon the landmark partnership signed in 2022 when BMW became the first joint partner of Australian Golf, a successful collaboration that has seen BMW make significant contributions to the sport.
BMW’s involvement is highlighted by its ongoing title partnership of the BMW Australian PGA Championship for 2024 and beyond, alongside its partnerships with the Australian Open, Australian WPGA Championship, Webex Players Series and Vic Open.
BMW’s investment in Australia’s best golf talent is also evident in their list of current player ambassadors that includes reigning BMW Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie, major winner Minjee Lee, former Australian PGA champion and PGA TOUR member Min Woo Lee, and LPGA Tour winner Grace Kim.
PGA of Australia and Golf Australia Chief Commercial Officer Michael McDonald recognised BMW’s significant role in the sport’s ongoing success, with significant growth occurring across all aspects of the game.
“BMW’s contribution to Australian Golf has been invaluable and it continues to expand,” he said.
“In 2022, BMW set new ground by becoming the first company to partner with all three national governing bodies – Golf Australia, PGA of Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia – under the banner of Australian Golf.
“Their dedication and investment into our tournaments, players, members and our fans continue to make a tangible difference, and we are excited to continue this journey together.”
BMW’s involvement in Australian Golf aligns with its broader global strategy to support golf that embody precision, performance, and passion. This partnership also complements the BMW Golf Cup, the world’s largest amateur golf event, which takes place at a BMW dealer level globally and allows customers to compete for a place in the prestigious World Final.
In addition to the BMW Australian PGA Championship, BMW will continue its involvement in several other Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia tournaments including the Australian Open, along with a range of initiatives across other Australian Golf assets focussed on PGA Members, fans and participants of golf.
Wolfgang Buechel, CEO of BMW Group Australia, emphasized the brand’s commitment to the sport: “BMW is proud to continue its partnership with Australian Golf. Over the years, we have seen firsthand the incredible growth and passion for the sport in Australia.
“This extension reaffirms our commitment to excellence, innovation, and naturing the next generation of golfers, both on and off the course. We look forward to continuing to play a role in elevating Australian Golf to even greater heights.”
Photo: BMW Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie with Wolfgang Buechel, CEO of BMW Group Australia,
Having taken a hiatus from the Challenger PGA Tour in 2024, the Wallace Development New Zealand PGA Championship is back on the schedule and will be contested at Hastings Golf Club on the North Island.
Louis Dobbelaar was the 2023 champion at Gulf Harbour when the championship was last a Tour event, while Waitangi professional, Pieter Zwart finished birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie to win by one stroke last year.
Many Tour stars who played in last week’s New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sports will be back this week, staying on for the two-week Kiwi swing.
With only three events to go in the 2024/25 season, every shot counts with the Chase Still On for the Order of Merit.
2023 CHAMPION: Louis Dobbelaar
PRIZEMONEY: A$175,000
LIVE SCORES: www.pga.org.au
HEADLINERS:
Ryan Peake: 2025 NZ Open champion
Nick Voke: 2025 Webex Players Series Sydney champion
Jack Buchanan: Two-time Tour winner this season
Michael Hendry: Two-time NZ PGA champion
Anthony Quayle: Former Queensland Open and Queensland PGA champion
John Senden: 2006 Australian Open champion
Jake McLeod: 2018 Order of Merit winner
Josh Geary: 2025 Vic Open champion
West Australian Ryan Peake has completed a remarkable story of redemption with a pulsating one-stroke win at the 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
Trailing Korean star Guntaek Koh by four strokes at the start of the final round at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, Peake needed to make a 10-foot putt for par on the 72nd hole to avoid a playoff with fellow Australian Jack Thompson (63), Japan’s Kazuki Higa (66) and South African Ian Snyman (66).
The 31-year-old went bogey-free for his final 55 holes and shot 5-under 66 on Sunday to finish atop the leaderboard at 23-under par, in so doing becoming the first lefthander to win the NZ Open since Sir Bob Charles in 1973.
Sixty-two years after Charles become the first New Zealander to win The Open Championship, as champion, Peake will now contest the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July and is now in contention to claim the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
Given his back-story that includes amateur golf alongside Cameron Smith and a five-year stint in jail for assault while a member of the Rebels bikie gang, Peake did not have the necessary visa to travel to New Zealand until the start of the week.
He arrived in Queenstown on Tuesday, played 36 holes on Wednesday and leaves with another extraordinary chapter added to his story.
“I’ve just changed my life,” Peake said post-round.
“This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is but I’m just out here playing golf.”
It was while he was incarcerated that renowned coach Ritchie Smith reached out and asked whether Peake wanted to play competitive golf again.
He wondered whether he was a charity case, but also knew Smith enough to know he wouldn’t waste time on an assignment he saw no future in.
It was a heart-to-heart at the end of 2024 that reaffirmed to Peake that while a win had proved elusive, they were on a path towards something special.
“I always knew I could do it; it was just a matter of time of when I was going to do it,” he added.
“Elvis Smylie was in the same predicament not too long ago and our coach, Ritchie Smith, said it was going to switch and that you’ve just got to commit to it.
“He had the same chat with me when I missed the cut at the Aussie Open and the Aussie PGA.
“We set out some goals of how we wanted to finish off the rest of the year and along with my family, my team, everyone believed. But most of all I believed as well.”
Given the play of Koh over the previous 36 holes, Peake’s belief in his chances of winning had to have been tested early on Sunday.
A birdie at the fifth hole lifted Peake into a tie for second but still three shots off the lead, that deficit trimmed to two by the seventh hole.
Koh moved three shots clear again with birdie at the par-4 eighth but Peake stayed in the frame with crucial birdies at nine and 12 to join Koh at 22-under and tied for the lead.
Three bogeys in succession by Koh from the 13th hole dramatically changed the complexion of the tournament, Peake suddenly sharing top spot with Thompson, Snyman and Higa with two holes to play.
Thompson and Snyman both missed birdie chances at the final hole in the groups ahead, leaving Peake to two-putt for birdie from the back fringe at the par-5 17th to move one clear, his first putt coming to rest just two feet to the left of the cup.
It meant that par at a par-3 finisher framed by water would seal victory, only for Peake to add to the tension when he missed the green to the right with his tee shot.
Left with a testing chip across the green towards water on the far side, Peake came up short with his chip. He then showed remarkable composure to hole the putt for par and add his name to the New Zealand Open’s remarkable history.
That history will continue to be written in Queenstown, with Millbrook Resort confirmed as the host venue for at least the next seven years at the tournament presentation.
Relentless Korean Guntaek Koh produced the shot of the day on the way to building a four-shot lead after the third round of the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport at Millbrook Resort.
The overnight leader’s 5-under-par 66 on Saturday was highlighted by an eagle at the short par-4 12th hole, a blind wedge shot from 66 metres that took two bounces before spinning back into the cup.
At 22-under-par after 54 holes, it will be Koh’s tournament to lose on the final day on Millbrook’s composite course as he tries to become the event’s second consecutive Asian winner.
The closest challenger to the four-time winner on the Korean Tour is West Australian left-hander Ryan Peake, who made up two shots on the leader with a 64 on Saturday and has the biggest day of his career ahead on Sunday.
Japan’s Kazumi Higa eagled the par-five first and 17th holes to climb to a share of third with a 9-under-par 62.
He is joined in the group five shots behind by South African Ian Snyman (66), China’s Bobby Bai (67) and Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit No.1 Elvis Smylie, who made up plenty of late ground with a back nine of 29 in a 6-under 66.
The leading New Zealander is Sam Jones who charged to a share of seventh, seven shots behind, thanks to a composite course record round of 10-under 61.
He was close to finishing his round when Koh was getting his underway with a three-shot lead, the Korean quickly extending his advantage with birdies at the first, second and third holes.
Although he had two bogeys, he turned in 3-under 33 and was as many as six shots in front before his lead dwindled slightly with six consecutive pars coming home after the eagle on 12.
“I was concerned about how much backspin I’m going to have after the shot, but it just went perfectly,” Koh said of his second hole-out in as many days.
“It’s great that I have a four-shot lead, but this course itself is very scoreable. I need to keep focused on what I’m doing and just make sure I just stay consistent to what I’m doing.”
Despite climbing to second and being bogey-free for 39 holes, Peake is seeking more consistency from his driver. He headed to the driving range post-round looking for some solutions after hitting just three out of 14 fairways today.
“It’s not the flight I want. I’m not getting the distance that I want and I’m just not finding a lot of these fairways,” Peake said.
“When you get in some of this long rough, it’s hard to get it close and give yourself reasonable birdie opportunities.
“I’m doing well to make a score from where I am; I just need to start hitting some fairways.”
The winner of two events on his home tour this season, Smylie was stuck in neutral on the front nine but erupted with four birdies and an eagle on the back nine, turning a 10-shot deficit to the leader into a more manageable six.
He’s confident that he’s close enough to chase down Koh.
“It’d be special to be able to come back from how many shots I am behind the leader, but I know that I can do that and it’s definitely motivating,” the Australian PGA champion, another of the lefthanders on the leaderboard, said.
Jones’s brilliant 61 included eight birdies plus an eagle on the par-5 17th hole where his second shot with a 7-iron finished four metres from the cup and he rolled in the slightly uphill putt.
He admitted his low round was something of a surprise.
“It’s been a bit rough out there the first couple of days. Struggled a little bit on the greens, haven’t been swinging it great but that’s golf,” Jones said.
“I was just pretty grateful to be teeing it up today. I was right on the cut-line yesterday.”
Fellow Kiwi Mark Brown also made a sizeable move on day three, a 65 lifting him inside the top 20 ahead of what is potentially his final round at the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
“I will have to play myself in, not take up an invite. So tomorrow could be my last time at the New Zealand Open,” said Brown, who was runner-up in 2014, the first year of the Pro-Am format.
He has no serious thoughts of playing the PGA TOUR Champions like countryman Steve Alker, but may head to the European Staysure Tour.
“I get a one-year exemption on the (European) seniors tour courtesy of winning on the tour, so I may take up that option more for experience and travel to Europe with my wife,” he said.
While the home crowd hoped for a big Saturday charge from Millbrook member Ben Campbell and former champion Michael Hendry, the duo lost ground on the lead.
They are both at 10-under, and 12 shots back, after Campbell carded 69 and Hendry 71.
Photo: Photosport
The NZ Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
James Marchesani has been waiting for his ball-striking to match his putting on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and it’s finally happened over the first two rounds of the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
With impressive rounds of 63-65 at Millbrook Resort, the Victorian holds second spot on the leaderboard at 14-under-par, three behind Korean Guntaek Koh, who matched the course record on the Remarkables layout today, shooting a 10-under-par 61.
Marchesani is a shot clear of China’s Bobby Bai (65-64), while first-time Millbrook visitor, West Australian Ryan Peake (67-64), is in a share of fourth at 11-under with two Asian Tour regulars, American John Catlin (67-64) and South African Ian Snyman (66-65).
Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit No.1 Elvis Smylie (66-66) is lurking, equal seventh at 10-under.
After some equipment adjustments pre-event, Marchesani didn’t miss a green in regulation on Thursday and was almost as clinical in day two.
He made his way to 16-under-par after 35 holes, only to slip up with a double-bogey six on his closing hole on the Remarkables course, one of two in use over the 36 holes.
The 31-year-old, who had just four pars in his second round to sit alongside an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys, is ready for what could be a career-defining weekend.
He has come close before to winning on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia but has had to settle for four top-three placings.
“The game’s felt close,” Marchesani said.
“I probably haven’t driven it as well as I would’ve liked the last couple of months and was able to get in here earlier than I was meant to and do a bit of work with the Callaway boys on Monday.
“I found a little bit with a driver, which has been nice.
“The putting’s been really good the last sort of six months. I sort of knew if I could get a lot of looks, the hole’s going to start looking pretty big, which it has.”
But it’s Hendry and Geary who are sure to have the most support from the local crowd on Saturday as they continue to try to become the first New Zealanders in eight years to win their national open.
As the last winner, Hendry is the perfect man to offer a reason why the home players have been experiencing a title drought in Queenstown.
“After winning a major this is my next tournament that I want to win,” the 45-year-old said.
“All the Kiwis come into this week feeling that way and that is potentially why we haven’t had a winner in a while because we want it more than the other guys.
“They can cruise around doing their thing while we are fighting for every little bit to try and win it.”\
Like his regular roommate, Geary has also had two 66s to start the week, hitting a purple patch on the back nine Friday afternoon when he grabbed four consecutive birdies.
“I had a good hot streak there for seven or eight holes,” the Vic Open champion from a fortnight ago said.
“I knew I needed to stay in touch somewhat and what I was doing at even-par or 1-under wasn’t going to cut it.
“I’m happy with how it’s turned out. It could have been a little worse.”
The next best Kiwi after 36 holes is Daniel Hillier (68-65), who is 9-under, while hometown favourite Ben Campbell (67-67) is one shot further back.
Koh’s 61 featured a hole-out for eagle on the 398-metre par-4 ninth, nine birdies and a solitary bogey.
“My iron play worked really well today and helped me to attack the greens,” Koh said.
“I’ve been working hard on my game and this week it’s paid off.”
First-time Millbrook visitor Peake’s share of fourth at 11-under-par continues his steady summer which has included four top-10 finishes on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
A win here would be huge for the West Australian who doesn’t have status on any overseas tour and would automatically become an Asian Tour member and earn a trip to The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
“Subconsciously everyone knows what’s on the line this week, but for myself, I’ve just got to stay in the moment,” Peake said.
“My goal just basically was to get here, make sure I make the cut and give myself a reasonable chance come the weekend.
“I’ve kind of set myself up decent enough to do that.”
Another big move on Friday came from Australian David Micheluzzi, the DP World Tour member pouring in nine birdies in an 8-under-par 63 on the Remarkables course.
At 9-under overall, he’s eight shots from the lead.
“There was glimpses yesterday. I just got off to a very slow start,” Micheluzzi said.
“The last 20 holes I’ve played very solid. Played them in 10-under, so I’ll take that.”
Among those who missed the halfway cut, which came at 5-under-par, were last week’s Webex Players Series Sydney winner Nick Voke (73-66), defending champion Takahiro Hataji (69-73), and Kiwi Danny Lee (75-69) in his first NZ Open as a professional.
Eight-time PGA TOUR Champions winner Steven Alker (70-67) birdied his last three holes to make it to the weekend play by a shot.
Photo: Photosport
The NZ Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Australia’s Harrison Crowe rediscovered some of his form from the end of 2024 to grab the outright lead after the opening round of the 2025 New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport at Millbrook Resort today.
With nine birdies and an eagle, the Sydneysider shot a round of 9-under-par 62, his only mishap coming on the par-4 13th hole of the Remarkables course, one of two in use over the first two rounds, when his tee shot flew out of bounds, leading to a double-bogey.
Crowe, the winner of the NSW Open as an amateur in 2022 but still chasing a first big win as a professional, leads James Marchesani (Vic), who played the Coronet course, by a shot.
Two other Australians, Lucas Herbert (Vic) and Kevin Yuan (NSW), as well as Korean Guntaek Koh, are two strokes behind in a share of third at 7-under.
The leading New Zealanders, Josh Geary and Michael Hendry, are tied for ninth at 5-under-par four shots from the lead, with Ben Campbell in a share of 23rd at 4-under.
Crowe was one of the form players in the big events at the end of 2024 on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australia, rattling off a T7 at the Ford NSW Open, T8 at the BMW Australian PGA Championship and T5 at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
However since his Christmas-New Year break, the 23-year-old has missed three consecutive halfway cuts.
“I definitely had a lot of things going my way today, and I think to shoot those rounds you have to,” Crowe said.
“I had the putter going, so it was nice to keep the momentum going after that one mistake.
“It’s starting to feel like that (the end of 2024) again. It’s been a bit of a slow start this year after a Christmas break, and it was nice to have a few things going my way today.”
Herbert, one of the pre-tournament favourites, was happy with the new putter in his bag, although a miss from three metres on his final hole prevented him for finishing in a share of second with Marchesani, who birdied the par-5 closer.
The Ford NSW Open champion is part of a Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit dogfight this week and has an early advantage over OOM No.1 Elvis Smylie, who shot a 4-under 67 on the Remarkables course.
“I felt like I’d struggled with the putter for a while and I felt like I putted okay today without being amazing, but it wasn’t bad either,” the Ripper GC squad member said.
“I hit a lot of good putts and just couldn’t get as many to go in as I would’ve liked. But look, it’s probably going to be a week of low scoring, so it was good to get off to a hot start and not feel like we’re chasing from a long way back.”
In the morning groups which were greeted my almost still conditions, Josh Geary brought the good form from his Vic Open win at 13th Beach Golf Links earlier this month to the Remarkables course which he toured in 5-under 66.
The highlight of his day were three straight birdies from the sixth to the eighth.
“I’ve been here enough. I know what to do if the weather stays calm,” Geary said.
“You’ve just got to keep your foot down and make a lot of birdies. I’d assume that’s how it’s going to go.”
Fellow Kiwi Hendry made his way to 6-under late in the afternoon before slipping up with his first bogey of the day, at the par-4 17th on the Remarkables. The former champion still content, however, with his start.
“I’m hitting it really well off the so as long as I can keep that going, I shouldn’t put myself in too much trouble and then hopefully it’s just about making some putts,” Hendry said.
Out in the second group of the day, West Australian Brett Rumford avoided a potential disaster before he even teed off to turn in a bogey-free 66 as he tries not only to contend for the title but also to keep his game in shape for seniors tour golf which looms in three years’ time.
Even with his vast experience, Rumford almost made a huge mistake when he came within a couple of minutes of missing his 7.40am tee time, thinking he was due off at 7.50am.
“That would’ve flustered me, I’m sure, back in my prime,” Rumford said.
“That definitely would’ve got on my nerves, would’ve blamed my caddie, would’ve blamed this and that. I would’ve blamed the world for it. But now it’s just ‘oh great’.
Defending champion Takahiro Hataji started with a 2-under-par 70.
Photo: Photosport
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