Queenstown, New Zealand – A dramatic ace from Kiwi golfer Kazuma Kobori highlighted a challenging opening day at the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort, as rain and cold tested the field. While Matias Sanchez currently leads the tournament with a score of seven-under-par 64, a surge from local players, including Kobori and amateur Yuki Miya, has injected excitement into the competition.
Play was delayed three hours due to heavy rainfall, impacting tee times and creating variable conditions throughout the day. Despite the difficult start, several players managed impressive rounds, with the Remarkables course proving more forgiving than the Coronet layout. The tournament, steeped in history, sees players vying to turn into the first New Zealand amateur to win the championship since Sir Bob Charles in 1954, according to Golf New Zealand.
Kobori’s Ace Ignites Opening Round
Kobori’s stunning hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth hole at the Remarkables course quickly became a talking point. Unaware that his playing partner, Alker, had as well achieved the feat in a practice round on Tuesday, Kobori’s ace propelled him to four-under-par and a share of the lead. “Only heard about that afterwards. You don’t really expect to hole it on that hole. Especially with a four iron in hand in these conditions. We celebrated a little bit,” Kobori said, describing the moment. He ultimately finished the day with a share of the lead before finding the water on the par-3 ninth.
New leader alert 👀📸: @PhotosportNZ #NZOpen
— New Zealand Open (@NZOpenGolf) February 26, 2026
Kiwi Amateurs Build Their Mark
Alongside Kobori, fellow New Zealander Yuki Miya is making a strong push. The 20-year-old Miya sits at six-under-par through 13 holes, having carded an eagle and four birdies. “Definitely didn’t get as bad rain as we saw this morning, and the wind died down for us as well. So, it was good,” Miya commented as he finished his round in fading light. He acknowledged keeping an eye on the leaderboard, noting, “Seeing guys like Kevin Na up there is, it’s pretty easy to look at it and hard not to.” Miya is one of four top New Zealand amateurs – alongside Robby Turnbull, Mitchell Kale, and Cooper Moore – competing for a historic win, as reported by Golf New Zealand.
Veteran Daniel Hillier is also well-positioned, sitting at five-under-par with five holes remaining, having navigated the more challenging Coronet course. Millbrook local Ben Campbell and 2017 champion Michael Hendry both finished the day at one-under-par.
Na Leads Early, Sanchez Takes Control
Experienced American Kevin Na and Australian Wade Ormsby initially set the pace, both carding rounds of 66. Na, who hasn’t played tournament golf in at least three months, acknowledged the tough conditions. “It was difficult out there. When I saw the weather forecast, I was like, ‘Oh no, I got the bad draw.’ It was like a three-club wind with the rain at times,” he said. However, it was Matias Sanchez who ultimately seized the lead, posting a bogey-free 64 to reach seven-under-par.
The greenkeeping staff at Millbrook Resort were praised for their efforts in preparing the course despite the torrential rain, ensuring play could commence after a three-hour delay. Even a dedicated spectator, Bob Grant, remained optimistic despite the inclement weather, famously stating, “It’ll reach right,” while sporting shorts and jandals.
The first round will resume at 7:40 am on Friday, with players eager to build on their opening scores and contend for the Brodie Breeze trophy. The tournament promises to be a thrilling contest as players navigate the challenging conditions and vie for victory.
What comes next is a crucial second round for those with incomplete scores, and a test of consistency for those who completed their first 18 holes. The leaderboard is sure to shift as players adjust to the conditions and battle for position. Share your thoughts on the tournament’s early stages in the comments below.