The New Zealand Open should be back to a multi-course tournament within three years.
There finally appears to be clarity in sight after years of Open organisers expressing a wish to expand the event from its semi-permanent Millbrook base.
It is now six years since the tournament was co-hosted by Millbrook and neighbouring The Hills for a seventh consecutive time.
The Hills is undergoing massive redevelopment, and while it will not immediately re-enter the rotation, organisers are keen to welcome the exclusive course back into the fold.
A new Arrowtown course — Hogan’s Gully — should be good to go within a couple of years, so eventually the Open will break new ground and be capable of significant expansion over three courses, or four when you include Millbrook’s Remarkables and Coronet layouts.
"We’ve always said we will go to the multi-course model when it’s going to make it work," New Zealand Open chairman John Hart said.
"We’re really totally dependent on the availability of the other courses.
"Hogan’s Gully is going to be part of the New Zealand Open, there’s no doubt about that, and it is a spectacular golf course.
"The Hills are obviously going through all their changes now and will be out of action until, I’d say, 2029.
"I would think 2028 is a possibility, but not likely, for the two courses here at Millbrook, and Hogan’s Gully.
"Hogan’s Gully is looking to open late 2027. Whether that means it’s ready for a championship in March 2028 is dubious.
"I’d say 2029 is when we’ll go to three courses. It’s just a matter of getting the timing right.
"Ultimately, the dream is 18 here [Millbrook], 18 at The Hills, 18 at Hogan’s Gully, and always finishing here."
It will mean an opportunity for the New Zealand Open to expand from its present field of 156 professionals and 156 amateurs
The obvious benefit of a multi-course model is that it opens the door for more revenue from high-rollers who buy spots in the pro-am field, and it means less pressure on tee times.
Hart cannot see the tournament leaving Queenstown, and Millbrook will remain the major host as long as it stays the under-writer.
Sky Sport has ended its naming sponsorship of the Open, but organisers are not rushing to find a replacement as they want to get the best deal.
Hart does not see the $2 million purse enlarging, as the tournament already has arguably the strongest field it can attract.
He feels the 2026 tournament was unmatched for its "great vibe", strength of field and crowds, the latter being particularly strong on Saturday for leaders Daniel Hillier and Yuki Miya.
"I don’t think I’ve seen an atmosphere like it before, particularly following Dan and the young amateur.
"I would have thought we were close to 10,000 on Saturday."
Appalling weather overshadowed the start of the tournament, forcing a lot of catch-up action over the first two rounds.
"That was pretty hard," Hart said.
"We had our challenges with the weather delay, and people have got no idea what that does to the whole tournament."
