Josh Geary will be one of more than 50 Kiwis hoping to press their claims to the NZ Open title at Clearwater this week. Photo / Getty Images
There have been two New Zealand winners of the national golf championship in the past decade - what chance of another this week at Clearwater?
Certainly better than most years, with more than 50 Kiwis in the 144-strong field teeing up to see if they can emulate David Smail in 2001 and Mahal Pearce in 2003.
Both former champions return and, with Michael Campbell, Josh Geary and Steve Alker, will be in the line of Kiwis favoured to give the title a nudge.
Those with an extra sentimental edge will push for Philip Tataurangi to give the tournament a shake while amateurs Ryan Fox and Ben Campbell will have their supporters.
The experience of the Aussie contingent including Craig Parry and Peter O'Malley should be a force even in the unfamiliar territory of the BMW-sponsored event on the outskirts of Christchurch.
Since Geary last visited, the course had lost a few trees and the staff have shaved some of the runoff areas. But he thought Clearwater suited his eye.
"I have had good results here in the past so its always nice to come back to where you play well," he said.
"It's more of an American-type course I guess which is what I am used to now.
"The course looks great and is in great nick, is lush and the rough is up, too, so it should be challenging. This sort of course suits me but I hope the wind stays away."
The Invercargill-born Geary has been playing on the Nationwide Tour where he finished 74th this season to earn conditional status next season.
He has been disappointed by his results but learned a great deal after his first full year on tour. He has played more than 15 tournaments.
In the middle of that run he had been encouraged by a run of 20 rounds under par before a wrist injury he suffered towards the end of the season, balanced that success.
"I think I got a little burned out at stages and I have learned from that," he said.
The Nationwide was ultra-competitive. Cuts were low and there were many excellent players making their rise in golf and others from the regular tour, using the tour to get back into contention.
Courses were not easy but soft greens encouraged aggressive players and scores were usually low.
A few months ago he played with Notah Begay who mentioned it was the toughest tour bar none in the world.
It was a superb learning arena and six players from last season had won on this year's PGA tour.
Geary felt his game was solid and he was confident about a good showing this week.
After this event he will play in two pro-ams at Mt Maunganui and Cambridge before heading to the Australian Masters in Perth.
By Wynne Gray
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