Hayden Meikle

Gusty wind has made it difficult for the afternoon field to have an impact on the first day of the New Zealand Open.

Everyone is hoping to see something special from Danny Lee, but any number of American and Australian golfers are lining up to make their own noise at the New Zealand Open.

Michael Hill saved the New Zealand Open but Bob Tuohy has the job of making sure it doesn't sink again.

Australian Michael Moore is in his debut season on the Australasian Tour and is about to play in his first New Zealand Open. Sports editor Hayden Meikle talks to the little Aussie battler.

Go follow the golf, they said.

Mahal Pearce was the last New Zealander to win the New Zealand Open but he suspects the drought is about to break.

It was the excited little Asian lady running past me that provided the obvious sign Danny Lee was not far away.

Gareth Paddison hopes a wayward putter will come right in time to mount a serious tilt at the New Zealand Open this week.

Tripp Isenhour has the sort of name that suggest a golfing personality and he hopes to show a game to match at The Hills this week.

I'm cold. The setting is the large, draughty media marquee at The Hills golf course and my hands are numb on the keyboard.

It now seems you can divide New Zealand golf into two distinct eras - BC and AD.

Golf's just weird. It has to be the one sport that really has zero enjoyment factor if you are completely hopeless at it.

Experienced New Zealand golf broadcaster Phil Leishman has no doubt the rise of Danny Lee will lead to a boost in television ratings at the Hills next week.