The Asian Tour stars
Taichi Kho, 23, and Jazz Jannewattananond, 28, will both be looking to start their years with a win, while Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul, 31, has played well at Millbrook previously, with a T6 finish in 2023; he is a quality player more than capable of a win this week.
From Japan
Headlining are Kensei Hirata, 23, and Taichi Nabetani, 27 — both top-10 players on the 2023 Japan Tour Order Of Merit. Both could well break through in Queenstown this year.
Ben Campbell
The Queenstowner’s twice been a runner-up in the NZ Open, including last year. But Campbell, 32, has moved his game up a level in 2023 — including his breakthrough win at the Hong Kong Open in November — and with the bonus of the home course advantage, the popular local may well be leading the charge.
Kasuma Kobori
The real ‘form player’, the Kiwi youngster — he’s just 22 — had an incredible three wins in his first 10 pro events. The leading amateur at last year’s NZ Open, running T6 overall, has gained the momentum and confidence only winning can create.
Mike Hendry
Recharged and in recovery following his recent leukaemia diagnosis, Hendry’s found success in Queenstown in the past, having won three times here, including the 2017 NZ Open. In October, he claimed victory at the Clearwater Open, making him the most successful player in the history of the Charles Tour, with nine titles.
The Aussies
David Micheluzzi, 27, Anthony Quayle, 29, Haydn Barron, 27, Travis Smyth, 29, and Todd Sinnott, 32, must all fancy their chances of lifting
the Brodie Breeze trophy. Former two-time New Zealand Open champion, Brad Kennedy, 49, loves playing in Queenstown and is another who can’t be counted out.
The dark horse
YUTA SUGIURA
Keep a close eye on Japan’s Yuta Sugiura, 22. He’s recently turned pro having won — as an amateur — the prestigious Dunlop Phoenix event in Japan last year, in a field that included Hideki Matsuyama and Brooks Koepka … this boy can play.
