Meet five contenders to lift New Zealand Open title

The $1 million New Zealand Open tees off in Arrowtown on Thursday.

Here are five contenders, including a couple of Kiwis aiming to become the first New Zealander to win it since Mahal Pearce (2003). Ryan Fox (New Zealand) Could it be the year of the Fox? The 30-year-old is teaming up with caddie Steve Williams and has made no secret how determined he is to become the first Kiwi winner since 2003. Fox finished 11th last year and the 143rd ranked golfer in the world will at least carry some decent form into the tournament, including a 19th tied finish at the Abu Dhabi Championship in January. Fox, who is renowned for his meaty drive, will need to keep the ball on the fairway, with the rough at both courses described as ‘‘very long’’. Matthew Griffin (Australia) Drained a clutch 1.2m birdie putt on the final hole to pip Japan’s Hideto Tanihara by a shot and win last year’s tournament. Griffin plies his trade on the Japan Tour and was top of the Australian Order of Merit last year. He’s one of 11 former champions confirmed for this year’s tournament. Young-Han Song (South Korea) Ranked 78th in the world, the 25-year-old goes into the tournament as the highest ranked player in the field. Song finished fourth on the Japan Order of Merit last year, with a one-shot win over American ace Jordan Spieth at the Singapore Open the highlight. He’s been up and down so far this year. After finishing second at the Singapore Open, he missed the cut at the Myanmar Open and Maybank Championship in Malaysia. Michael Hendry (New Zealand) Was the best Kiwi last year, after firing a scorching seven-under 65 on the final day to finish third. Is now ranked 174th in the world and, like Fox, will have to overcome the travel factor. Hendy won’t arrive in Arrowtown until the day before the tournament, but knows both courses well. Is coming off his best year, winning almost NZ$700,000 on the Japan Tour, plus a further $230,000 for finishing second on the Australian Order of Merit. Has won the NZ PGA Championship twice at The Hills in the past. Yusaku Miyazato (Japan) Three Japanese players finished in the top five last year, and there is again a strong contingent of players from the country this year. Miyazato was off his game to start last year, perhaps due to a hectic schedule – he arrived a day before the NZ Open started and finished in a share of 40th. However, he ended the year strong and is one of the form players ahead of next week. He will arrive in Arrowtown today and should get at least three practice rounds in.