No fewer than eight former champions will be in the field when the $900,000 New Zealand Open tees off at The Hills and Millbrook on Thursday. Hayden Meikle reports.
David Smail (NZ)
Won: 2001, The Grange.
Then: Had plugged away for nine years before breaking through for his first professional win.
Chances: Smail must not be discounted. Has won five times in Japan, winning more than $8 million. Was co-leader after the first round the last time the Open was held at The Hills.
Jake Higginbottom (Aus)
Won: 2012, Clearwater.
Then: Was the first amateur to win the New Zealand Open since Harry Berwick in 1956.
Chances: Turned professional two days after his Open win. Is still in the very early stages of his career, but had three sub-70 rounds at The Hills in the PGA last year.
Craig Parry (Aus)
Won: 2002, Paraparaumu.
Then: Won the Open that had Tiger Woods in the field. As Parry says, it changed his life because it opened a lot of doors.
Chances: ''Popeye'' will again be one of the most popular players in the field and he is certainly capable of winning. Open runner-up in 2011, tied for fourth in 2009.
Mahal Pearce (NZ)
Won: 2003, Middlemore.
Then: Stunned everybody, perhaps even himself, with his first win as a professional.
Chances: Hasn't always been at his best at The Hills but has the shots to do something special.
Peter O'Malley (Aus)
Won: 1995, The Grange.
Then: Claimed the second title in a unique treble - O'Malley is the only man to have won the New Zealand Amateur, Open and PGA.
Chances: Is known for his accuracy and that will be a key weapon in Arrowtown.
Peter Fowler (NZ)
Won: 1993, Paraparaumu.
Then: Won the New Zealand Open the same year he won the BMW International Open on the European Tour.
Chances: ''Chook'' Fowler is a seasoned 54 now. Has won three times on the European Senior Tour, so still knows how to plot a victory.
Michael Long (NZ)
Won: 1996, Paraparaumu.
Then: Another who emerged from the shadows to win the Open, opening a path for him to play in Europe.
Chances: Long, born in Cromwell and based in Perth, is something of a part-timer these days but has had some success in Asia, and tied for 18th at The Hills last year.
Greg Turner (NZ)
Won: 1989 (Paraparaumu) and 1997 (Middlemore).
Then: Turner won two Open titles in the middle of a glittering career that featured 12 professional wins.
Chances: Write off a Turner? Never. Turner, part of a great sporting family, knows both courses extremely well and is enjoying a return to competitive golf.
