World No 78 Iwata is not only the top ranked professional this week at The Hills and Millbrook courses, but he is the highest ranked player at New Zealand's top tournament since 2006.
Yet asked yesterday how high his confidence was, he replied through an interpreter: ''Not much''.
''The people around me expect too much. I'm a little bit confused.''
The attention on the 34 year old is well earned.
He was propelled 400 spots up the world rankings in 2014 thanks to a sensational season on the Japan Tour, including his maiden win and nine top 10 finishes.
But his success wasn't limited to Japan.
In November, he tied for third at the World Golf Championship HSBC Champions in Shanghai, finishing 10 under - just one shot behind leaders Bubba Watson and Tim Clark. Watson won in a playoff.
It's hard to know if Iwata is shy or foxing.
He says his goals this year are to secure a PGA Tour card and improve his world ranking, something he is unlikely to achieve if he is low on confidence.
The New Zealand Open comes at a good time of year. There is no golf in Japan right now.
It will be his second tournament of the year. In January, he missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Asked about his practice round at Millbrook, he replied: ''It was OK today.''
And what does he put his hot run of form in 2014 down to?''I was short tempered,'' he said.
''But I tried to stop it and keep calm.''
It is Iwata's second New Zealand Open. Last year he finished tied for 39th, after rounds of 71, 71, 69 and 75. Iwata said he would like to take a jet boat ride and paraglide while in Queenstown - but he won't.
Why not? He replies himself, in English: ''Danger.''
By David Williams.
