Tournament organisers yesterday confirmed a strong Japanese contingent for the Open, which has co-sanctioning with the Asian Tour but a partnership with the Japan Tour.
Headlining the Japanese charge is Tatsunori Shogenji, currently second on the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit, alongside Ryuichi Oiwa, who sits fifth on the standings following a standout season.
They will be joined by 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Kazuki Higa, who delivered an outstanding performance at Millbrook last year, finishing tied for second, alongside fan favourite Mikumu Horikawa, who returns for a remarkable eighth consecutive New Zealand Open appearance.
Horikawa enjoyed a highly consistent 2025 campaign, recording nine top-10 finishes across the season.
Another star of the future, Riki Kawamoto, returns for his second visit, as does Taiki Yoshida, while fellow top 10 player Naoyuki Kataoka makes his first trip to New Zealand.
In total, the Japanese contingent includes a record nine players currently ranked inside the top 12 on the 2025 Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit, underlining the depth and quality of talent travelling to Queenstown.
New Zealand Open tournament director Michael Glading said the strength of the Japanese field reflected the tournament’s growing reputation on the global stage.
"The quality of players coming from the Japan Golf Tour this year is outstanding," Glading said.
"To have nine of the top 12 on their Order of Merit competing in the New Zealand Open speaks volumes about the respect this tournament holds internationally.
‘‘These players bring world-class talent and a competitive edge that adds enormous value to the field and the spectacle for fans."
Leading Japan Tour professional Ren Yonezawa said the New Zealand Open was widely regarded as a must-play event on the calendar.
"Coming to Queenstown is an amazing opportunity,’’ Yonezawa said.
‘‘Everyone on the Japan Tour who has been to the New Zealand Open talks about it — the courses, the atmosphere, and the way the tournament is run. It’s a special event and one we all look forward to playing.’’
Yonezawa is a two-time Japan Tour winner who is returning for his fourth visit to Queenstown.
The Japanese players will seek to emulate their compatriot, Takahiro Hataji, who became the first player from Japan to win the New Zealand Open in 2024. — Allied Media
