Australians have won the tournament one more time than New Zealanders and are keen to extend that advantage.
One of the Australians bringing some form into the event is South Australian Wade Ormsby.
Ormsby blasted his way into 2020 with a brilliant victory at the Hong Kong Open, for the second time in three years, holding off the likes of Open champion Shane Lowry and PGA star Tony Finau on the way.
Ormsby’s ranking has risen to inside the top 150 in the world after claiming the co-sanctioned tournament with the European and Asian Tours.
"I am excited to return to play the New Zealand Open next month. It has been a great start to the year winning the Hong Kong Open and hopefully I can continue that form in Queenstown," he said.
Ormsby has been close to winning the Open, finishing in a share of runner-up behind compatriot Nathan Green in 2002 at Gulf Harbour. He also finished tied for fifth behind winner Mahal Pearce at Middlemore in 2003 and in a share of seventh in 2004 at The Grange, when it was won by Terry Price.
His career, mostly on the European Tour, has had its ups and downs with Ormsby forced to return to qualifying school on five occasions. He showed his resilience to regain his playing rights on each occasion.
His first victory came in the Indian Open in 2013 before his European Tour breakthrough in winning the Hong Kong Open in 2017.
"I was proud of the way I played and it was nice to get 2020 off to a flying start,” Ormsby said.
He came into the tournament in good form after finishing in a share of third at the Australian PGA, three shots behind winner Adam Scott.
Ormsby is only one of many Australians who will threaten around Millbrook Resort and The Hills at the end of next month.
Defending champion Zach Murray heads the group of previous Australian winners comprising Daniel Nisbet (2018), Jordan Zunic (2015), Dimi Papadatos (2014), Jake Higginbottom (2012), Brad Kennedy (2011), Peter O’Malley (1995) and Peter Fowler (1993).
Added to that are a group of Australians with experience in Queenstown and success in 2019 including Brendan Jones, Josh Younger and Andrew Dodt, who were all tournament winners last year.
"Our relationship with Australia goes back for most of the 100 years that this Open has been played and they continue to support this event with good grace, as well as being highly competitive,” tournament director Michael Glading said.
"In fact, Australians have won the Open 42 times, one more than New Zealand players, which is bound to provide a bit of spice to the competition."