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Elvis Smylie has achieved his season-long goal by becoming the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit champion for the first time.
A T53 finish today at the Heritage Classic in outer Melbourne ensured Smylie had enough points to secure the 2024/25 title with one tournament remaining.
It guarantees the 22-year-old Queenslander a host of rewards including a berth in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July, his second appearance in as many years at the sport’s oldest major.
He’s only the fourth lefthander to win the OOM title, following on from Richard Green (2004), Nick O’Hern (2006) and Greg Chalmers (2011, 2014).
“This is pretty special,” Smylie said after receiving his Order of Merit medal.
“It’s a goal that I set out at the start of the season last October and it’s an honour to win the title and the opportunities that it comes with.”
Smylie’s surge to the top of the Order of Merit standings started with a third place in his season debut at the CKB WA PGA Championship presented by TX Civil and Logistics at Kalgoorlie Golf Course.
He then secured the first title of his career at the Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open, beating Jak Carter in a sudden-death playoff on a windy afternoon at Mandurah Country Club.
“The last round at the WA Open, when everything was going south with the weather, I felt like I really did a good job with keeping my composure,” he said.
“I hung in there and I got the job done and then that was probably the turning point for everything to fall into place the way it has.”
The big Order of Merit points came across the Aussie majors fortnight, his victory at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, which also earned Smylie a coveted DP World Tour card, followed by a tie for fifth at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open on the Melbourne Sandbelt.
He picked up another top-10 finish at the NZ Open presented by Sky Sport.
“As soon as I won at RQ, I’m like ‘right, I’m in the box seat. So let’s just keep going’,” he said.
“It’s starting to sink in now that I’ve achieved what I set out to do, which is cool.”
As the Order of Merit champion, Smylie also receives a place in the final stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School, although he has sights on gaining PGA TOUR status for 2026 without taking that route.
“So my goal now shifts to the European Tour and focusing on trying to finish in the top-10 on the Order of Merit there to try and get a PGA TOUR card in America,” Smylie said.
“That’s my main focus now, but there’s a couple other goals that I’ll have a look at that with my team.”
His next events will come in China on the DP World Tour in April.
PGA of Australia General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey said: “Our congratulations go to Elvis on becoming a first-time Order of Merit champion on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Starting from our Western Australia swing, he has had an outstanding season, highlighted by his great win at the BMW Australian PGA Championship.
“With one tournament remaining, there are still plenty of rewards up for grabs for our leading professionals on our Order of Merit including the much sought after three DP World Tour cards for 2025/26.
“We’re looking forward to a great season finale at The National Tournament next week.”
Smylie’s spectacular season has also seen his Official World Golf Ranking climb from No.1119 prior to the WA PGA Championship to just outside the top-200.
Previous Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia OOM champions include Greg Norman (six times), Bob Shearer and Peter Senior (four times), Craig Parry (three times) and Adam Scott (twice).
Elvis Smylie 2024/25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia results
3rd CKB WA PGA Championship presented by TX Civil and Logistics
1st Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open
T8th Webex Players Series South Australia
5th Queensland PGA Championship
T24th Ford NSW Open
1st BMW Australian PGA Championship
5th ISPS HANDA Australian Open
T8th NZ Open presented by Sky Sports
T53rd Heritage Classic
Last 10 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit champions
2024/25 Elvis Smylie (Qld)
2023/24 Kazuma Kobori (NZ)
2022/23 David Micheluzzi (Vic)
2021/22 Jed Morgan (Qld)
2020/21 Brad Kennedy (Qld)
2019 Ryan Fox (NZ)
2018 Jake McLeod (Qld)
2017 Brett Rumford (WA)
2016 Matt Griffin (Vic)
2015 Nathan Holman (Vic)
The PGA of Australia has announced changes to its Board of Directors with prominent South Australian PGA Member Chris Crocker appointed to the board.
Crocker’s appointment follows the resignation of Member Director Josh Madden who has recently been appointed to the role of GolfWA – Manager Clubs & Facilities.
Crocker has been appointed to the vacant Member Director position created by Madden’s resignation, with PGA Chair Ian Baker-Finch expressing his gratitude for Madden’s significant contributions.
“Josh has been a dedicated and committed Member Director, consistently making decisions in the best interests of the PGA of Australia and its Members. His service to the Board has been outstanding, and we sincerely thank him for his efforts over the past four years,” he said.
In welcoming Crocker to the Board, Baker-Finch highlighted his extensive experience within the Association and the broader golf industry.
“Chris has been a valued PGA Member, serving on various committees and councils, including as a member and then Chair of our South Australian Committee, and most recently as the South Australian representative on a Board sub-committee.”
“As the current Director of Golf at Royal Adelaide Golf Club, we look forward to his insights and contributions to the PGA of Australia Board as we continue drive the sport forward.”
Moore Park Golf Club, one of Sydney’s premier public golf courses, has been added to the Trackman Virtual Golf library.
This milestone brings the iconic Sydney course to golfers worldwide, allowing them to experience its scenic fairways and challenging layout through Trackman’s cutting-edge simulation technology.
Trackman, a leader in golf performance and virtual golf technology, has meticulously captured the unique features of Moore Park Golf Club to ensure an authentic digital experience.
Golfers can now play the course virtually, whether for practice, competition or leisure, bringing a piece of Sydney’s golf heritage to players across the globe.
“Moore Park Golf has been the home of public golf in Sydney for more than 100 years and we’re extremely excited to have the course immortalised on Trackman,” said Mat Barnes, Moore Park Venue Operations Manager.
“The Trackman team have done an incredible job regarding the realistic playability of the course, and we can’t wait for golfers around the globe to enjoy a Sydney icon from their local Trackman range, Trackman indoor golf centre, or comfort of their own Trackman at home.”
With its stunning city skyline views, well-manicured greens, and strategic design, Moore Park Golf Club has long been a favourite among local and visiting golfers.
Now, through Trackman’s state-of-the-art simulation, the course’s signature challenges – including its strategic bunkering, undulating greens and tree-lined fairways – are accessible to golfers anytime, anywhere.
Trackman’s advanced technology ensures that every detail of Moore Park Golf Club is accurately represented, from the course’s elevation changes to the precise roll of the greens. This development provides a new way for golfers to refine their skills and experience the course in various playing conditions, offering an innovative approach to training and gameplay.
In addition to enhancing the playing experience for golf enthusiasts worldwide, the inclusion of Moore Park Golf Club in the Trackman Virtual Golf library highlights the growing influence of digital platforms in the golf industry. With more golfers seeking high-quality virtual experiences, Trackman continues to expand its library with world-class courses that offer players a realistic and engaging way to enjoy the sport.
Moore Park Golf Club is excited about the opportunities this partnership presents, from increasing global awareness of the course to offering a new and accessible way for players to engage with the game. The integration with Trackman’s Virtual Golf library aligns with the club’s commitment to innovation and excellence in golf.
For more information about Moore Park Golf Club, visit https://mooreparkgolf.com.au/
To learn more about Trackman and its Virtual Golf offerings, visit https://www.trackman.com/
Karl Vilips made history by winning on the PGA TOUR in his fourth start, and is now headed for The Players Championship, with the West Australian’s efforts just one of the Australian moments to celebrate from a bountiful weekend.
Vilips set the tournament scoring mark at the Puerto Rico Open to claim his maiden title less than a year removed from graduating college (full story on his win HERE), while it was a runner-up finish on the LPGA Tour for Minjee Lee in China.
The older Australian and Kiwi brigade also representing strongly on the PGA TOUR Champions, where Steven Alker claimed another title and Greg Chalmers and Rod Pampling shared third.
For Minjee, her final round charge at the Blue Bay LPGA truly ignited late on the front nine, when the elder Lee sibling seemed to channel her brother Min Woo and his short game.
Mixing three bogeys with one birdie through six holes of the final round playing alongside fellow Aussie Cassie Porter, Minjee chipped in consecutively on the seventh and eighth holes and motioned to call ‘Dr Chipinski’ her brother’s widely used social media nickname.
“I never left,” she said when asked if there was a new Dr Chipinski in the family post round.
Continuing to look more comfortable with her new long putter, Lee added four more birdies on the back nine to finish at 11-under and six back of Japan’s Rio Takeda. Porter recording her best LPGA finish with a solo fourth place after closing with an even par round of 72.
Playing the Cologuard Classic on the senior circuit, Alker closed with a final round 66 to find himself in a playoff with Jason Caron. The Kiwi triumphing on the first extra hole to claim his ninth PGA TOUR Champions crown.
Falling just one short of the playoff, Pampling bogeyed the 17th hole to finish on 11-under, while Chalmers looked the man to beat as the players made their way to the finish.
Leading into the back nine, Chalmers bogeyed the 12th and 14th to fall back before scrambling for a par at the penultimate hole and just missing a 10 foot birdie try at the 18th hole to join the playoff.
“That’s just part of golf sometimes. It’s been a minute since I’ve been in that situation where I’ve had a chance to win an event,” Chalmers said.
“I think the more I can do it, the more comfortable I’ll be and the better I’ll do.”
Similarly flying the flag on the global stage was Jason Day, who was right in the mix late on Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.
Two shots back of the lead, Day’s ball found the water at the par-5 16th and eventually the bottom of the cup for a double bogey, with the Queenslander also dropping a shot at the last to share eighth.
Back in action for the first time since Adelaide, the all Australian Ripper GC team shared third place at LIV Golf Hong Kong, with Lucas Herbert the standout in the individual results. The Victorian closing with a 6-under round for a solo fourth place.
PGA TOUR
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida
1 Russell Henley 72-68-67-70—277 $US4m
T8 Jason Day 76-64-69-74—283 $600,666
T36 Adam Scott 75-72-70-74—291 $96,750
MC Cam Davis 70-80—150
MC Min Woo Lee 78-73—151
Puerto Rico Open
Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, Peurto Rico
1 Karl Vilips 65-67-66-64—262 $US720,000
MC Aaron Baddeley 72-75—147
LPGA Tour
Blue Bay LPGA
Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, Hainan Island, China
1 Rio Takeda 69-69-69-64—271 $US375,000
2 Minjee Lee 70-72-68-67—277 $230,318
4 Cassie Porter 69-68-72-72—281 $129,249
T44 Hira Naveed 71-70-76-76—293 $10,529
MC Karis Davidson 73-76—149
MC Fiona Xu (NZ) 74-78—152
LIV Golf
LIV Golf Hong Kong
Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong
1 Sergio Garcia 65-64-63—192 $US4m
4 Lucas Herbert 67-66-64—197 $1,000,000
T12 Marc Leishman 70-66-65—201 $312,500
T20 Cameron Smith 69-68-66—203 $202,500
T20 Danny Lee (NZ) 66-71-66—203 $202,500
T35 Matt Jones 69-69-67—205 $145,333
T35 Ben Campbell (NZ) 69-68-68—205 $145,333
DP World Tour
Joburg Open
Houghton GC, Johannesburg, South Africa
1 Callum Hill 69-66-69-62—266 €177,233.16
T3 Danny List 66-73-71-77—287 €1,547.32
MC Kazuma Kobori 70-77—147
PGA TOUR Champions
Cologuard Classic
La Paloma Country Club, Tucson, Arizona
1 Steven Alker (NZ) 69-66-66—201 $US330,000
T3 Rod Pampling 66-69-67—202 $145,200
T3 Greg Chalmers 64-67-71—202 $145,200
T18 Cameron Percy 71-69-68—208 $32,010
T20 David Bransdon 69-70-70—209 $25,828
T20 Mark Hensby 71-68-70—209 $25,828
T20 Matthew Goggin 67-69-73—209 $25,828
T33 Richard Green 75-67-70—212 $13,860
T44 Steve Allan 70-77-67—214 $8,800
T48 Stuart Appleby 70-74-71—214 $7,040
T60 Michael Wright 71-72-75—218 $3,300
T60 Brendan Jones 72-73-63—218 $3,300
Korn Ferry Tour
Astara Chile Classic presented by Scotiabank
Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago, Chile
1 Logan McAllister 68-70-63-64—265 $US180,000
T57 Harry Hillier (NZ) 71-69-71-70—281 $4,100
MC Rhein Gibson 70-71—141
Epson Tour
Atlantic Beach Classic presented by Access Golf
Atlantic Beach Country Club, Atlantic Beach, Florida
1 Laetitia Beck 71-68-66—205 $US37,500
T13 Robyn Choi 76-71-69—216 $3,868
T54 Caitlin Peirce 78-73-73—224 $1,054
MC Su Oh 81-76—157
Australian Karl Vilips has joined an exclusive club, with the 23-year-old winning the PGA TOUR’s Puerto Rico Open in just his fourth Tour start to become only the 12th player since 1970 to achieve that feat.
Named recently as the first signing to Tiger Woods’ apparel company Sun Day Red and last month as a new member of the Golf Australia Rookie Squad, Vilips entered the final round with the outright lead in Puerto Rico having graduated Stanford University less than 12 months ago.
A winner on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour last year, Vilips was challenged out of the gate on Sunday by Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen as he sought to join the likes of Seve Ballesteros in the four-tournament start winners club on the PGA TOUR.
Birdieing the par-4 third, Vilips then found some magic at the par-5 sixth when holing out his pitch for eagle before two more birdies to close out the front nine in 5-under.
The Australian, who spent parts of his childhood in Melbourne and Perth before completing his schooling in America, truly having to earn his victory on the back nine when he made his only bogey of the final day at the par-4 12th.
As Neergaard-Petersen was in the middle of making six straight birdies from the 10th hole, Vilips first dropped shot, and loss of the lead, seemed to kick the former child prodigy and now Colin Swatton coached player into gear.
“Bogey was pretty careless,” Vilips told Australian media after his win.
“I was pretty frustrated about that with a wedge in the fairway. I was thinking kind of just give myself a bit of a cushion on the leaderboard and then had to just forget about it. It’s already happened, can’t do anything about it and did a good job putting me back in the present.”
Making three consecutive birdies from the 13th, Vilips added another at the 72nd and final hole to reach 26-under and claim a three shot victory over Neergaard-Petersen.
“It’s a dream come true for me and my dad,” Vilips said paying tribute to his father, Paul, immediately after holing his winning putt.
“This is what we dreamed of as a kid.”
Vilips, whose maiden season on the PGA TOUR has been slightly hampered following the discovery of a bulging disk in his back around the time he returned home for a share of 46th at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, has now secured his playing rights for the next two years.
Setting a tournament scoring record with his 26-under-par total, Vilips will now also receive a start at the PGA TOUR’s showpiece event, next week’s The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, as well as the US PGA Championship in May.
Recently moving to Florida and making TPC Sawgrass his base, the Australian will not be as ill-prepared as many might think for his sudden start next week alongside some of the biggest names in the game.
“I just moved there, been at TPC for five months or four months now,” Vilips said.
“I’m going to be getting in late Monday night, so it’s going to be a bit of a short prep, but thankfully it’s my home course so I don’t really need to do too much. Just see how the greens are rolling, how the rough is. I just kind of get in the right mindset for it.”
Mindset has rarely been an issue for Vilips, who has worked relentlessly to become a PGA TOUR winner, with his calm and mostly mild mannered demeanour only cracking occasionally on Sunday. Firstly, when yelling “Come on” as he celebrated his final birdie, and again when speaking of his genuine excitement and realising a dream
“Even just like being in the final group is something I always wanted to do. Being in the final group of PGA TOUR events and then winning, it’s just everything,” he said.
“It makes me incredibly happy to hoist that trophy on the 18th green … It’s everything that I’ve dreamed of and in the moment, you have to kind of just put all that aside and focus on winning. But I’m sure when I’m back in my hotel I’ll just be smiling and calling my friends.”
Part of the phone attention no doubt going to a potential voice message from the icon that created his clothing sponsor, with Tiger one of the names to pop up during the whirlwind post round commitments.
“I caught a glimpse of it saying something and I’ll have to get back to it. I’ve been bombarded with texts and I’m so grateful for the support, but I’ll have to look back at it after this.”
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,
The first of four PGA Institute Emerging Leaders sessions was held today at the PGA Learning Hub in Sandhurst, with 17 attendees gaining valuable communication insights.
The Emerging Leaders program was launched in 2024, and among a number of other offerings, the PGA Institute program is geared towards professional development through interactive workshops designed to empower the next generation of golf industry professionals.
Titled Mastering effective communication, program facilitators Colin Wilson and Chris Tankard from Key Business Advisors took the attendees through what the best forms of workplace communication might look like in their clubs and facilities.
Mitchell Wilson, the Assistant Director of Golf at Kingston Heath, said the workshop was a helpful refresh on some tactics that are often forgotten or overlooked.
“It was great to get out of the office and be with like-minded people and discussing things that affect us day-to-day,” he said at Sandhurst today.
“In the golf industry, not everyone’s there at the same time, so we’re just coming up with a few ways to make sure the message is getting across to all team members.”
Similarly, Devanique Rossouw who is the Swim School Coordinator at Sandhurst Club, is excited to take her learnings from today’s session back to her team.
“I absolutely loved it. It was really insightful,” Rossouw said.
“We learned a lot about communication styles, how to communicate with the team and your upline and your downline.
“Also strategies on how to implement good team culture and how communication plays a role. Communication is key.”
As part of the Golf Australia Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, two attendees in Andrew Poppins from Sandy Golf Links, and Luke Sillay from The Vintage Golf Club, were fully funded to attend the workshop.
The next PGA Institute Emerging Leaders session, Strategic planning for success will be held in June, with two more later in the year.
There are still places available for the remaining workshops. CLICK HERE to learn more, and CLICK HERE to register.
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
The NZ Open is live on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
