Seven former champions are expected at the BMW New Zealand Open at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch from December 1-4.
New Zealanders Michael Campbell (who won in 2000) and Mahal Pearce (2003) are confirmed for the signature event of New Zealand golf with David Smail (2001) to add his name to the list pending the confirmation of his tour schedule in Japan.
They will be joined by highly regarded Australians Peter Fowler (1993), Terry Price (2004), Peter O'Malley (1995) and Craig Parry (2002).
For Dean Murphy, the Chief Executive of New Zealand Golf, the interest of the former champions is hugely encouraging for the event.
"It is great to see some of New Zealand's and Australia's best confirming for the BMW NZ Open at Clearwater,'' said Murphy.
"They have all had their own great moments when they held aloft the New Zealand Open trophy and it is special to see them back and part of this event.
"I am sure they will be well received by the golf fans who come out to Clearwater in December.''
Pearce, after he won at Middlemore in 2003 by two-strokes, is the most recent New Zealand winner of the title much to his amazement.
"I did not think I would be the last Kiwi to win the event after eight years. I presumed Cambo or someone else would have won it by now which is rather surprising,'' said the 35-year-old.
"But obviously, the field has changed with the introduction of more overseas players, there have been much-improved fields and consequently the tournament has become harder.''
The Otago professional has fond memories of his crowning moment in golf where he closed with a two-under-par 70, giving him a 10-under 278 to hold off the challenge from Australian Brett Rumford.
"I approached the event in the same frame of mind as usual. I had a good end of season coming into the tournament and felt confident about my game at that point.
"It was the first event of the year, I was relaxed and in my own little world playing golf. Being a relative unknown I did not have any media hassling or distracting me, which helped me focus on my performance and game play,'' Pearce added.
Pearce won the title with four under on the front nine to open up a three shot lead over his partner in the final group Australian Chris Downes.
"It is quite funny looking back. I was in the final pair with Queenslander Chris Downes, we were the only two left on the driving range late morning of the final day. That in itself was a very weird feeling for me, being the last two standing in the New Zealand Open.''
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