The OTHER CHANCES

Outside of Ryan Fox, there is a host of other high-quality players making the trip to Queenstown. With some of the Australasian, Asian and Japan Tour’s best set to tee it up on the South Island.

Fox’s good mate, and the defending champion, Michael Hendry (pictured) is determined not to give back the trophy just yet after defeating Queenslander Brad Kennedy and compatriot Ben Campbell on the first hole of sudden death in 2017. The Kiwi recorded six top-10 finishes on the Japan Tour in 2017 and was tied for 8th at the Rebel Sport Masters in January.

Arguably the world’s most travelled professional golfer, Scott Hend, returns to the New Zealand Open for the first time since 2014 and despite the Queenslander’s world ranking slipping outside the top-100, he owns nine Asian Tour titles and is a former winner of the Tour’s Order of Merit.

Former Presidents Cup player K.T. Kim mightn’t be the most recognisable name in the field for casual fans but the South Korean is among the most prolific winners teeing it up in Queenstown, with 15 career victories in Asia. Kim has twice been the leading money winner on the Japanese Tour and was at one time ranked the 18th best player in the world. Former winner Jordan Zunic was a somewhat unexpected victor when he claimed the title in 2015. The New South Welshman has found his game again however, and after losing the Australian PGA Championship in a playoff to Cam Smith, he recorded another top-10 at the Oates Vic Open in February.