Fresh from clinching the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit title, American John Catlin will lead the strongest Asian Tour field to date at this year's New Zealand Open.
The 104th New Zealand Open is set to take place at the prestigious Millbrook Resort from February 27-March 2, with players competing for a share of the $NZ2 million prize pool.
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Catlin, 34, who secured his maiden Order of Merit victory last season, was in sensational form throughout the year, with a string of standout performances that saw him hit the top spot in the rankings.
Victories at the International Series Macau and the Saudi Open, along with six other top-10 finishes meant he claimed the season-long Merit title ahead of New Zealand's Ben Campbell, now playing on the LIV Golf tour.
“I’m incredibly proud to have secured the Order of Merit title last year. The consistency I was able to achieve was arguably the best patch of golf in my career so far,” said Catlin.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to Queenstown for the New Zealand Open. It’s a tournament I’ve always wanted to win, and the competition this year will be as strong as ever. The course at Millbrook Resort is stunning, and I’m excited to return.”
Catlin’s season also saw him take home the Kyi Hla Han Award for Player of the Year on the Asian Tour. It was the second time he has won the award, and was the icing on the cake for an incredible season, which included a 59 on day three in Macau. It was the first sub-60 shot ever on the Asian Tour.
“We are thrilled to welcome John back to the New Zealand Open,” said tournament director Michael Glading. “His success last season was extraordinary, and it’s great that John is making his way back to Queenstown for the first time since 2020. He is definitely one to watch at Millbrook Resort.”
Catlin is not the only high-profile Asian Tour player heading to Queenstown, with seven of the top-12 in the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit making the trip to Central Otago.
Queenstown’s own Campbell will be joined by the likes of Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand), MJ Maguire (USA), Miguel Tabuena (Philippines), Taichi Kho (Hong Kong), Steve Lewton (England), Jbe’ Kruger (South Africa), Jeunghun Wang (Korea) and Travis Smyth (Australia) all taking to the fairways later this month.
Another feature of this year’s Asian Tour entries is the inclusion of legendary players Scott Hend (a close runner-up at the New Zealand Open last year), and Liang Wenchong, one of China’s most successful golfers with 21 wins worldwide.
“It’s great to have so many top players from the Asian Tour in the field this year, from such a wide variety of countries. This is a real feature of the Asian Tour and we are delighted to partner with them,” said Glading.
NEW ZEALAND OPEN - ASIAN TOUR ENTRIES
Ben Campbell (New Zealand)
John Catlin (USA)
Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand)
Chan, Shih-chang (Chinese Taipei)
MJ Maguire (USA)
Jbe’ Kruger (South Africa)
Steve Lewton (United Kingdom)
Guntaek Koh (Korea)
Taichi Kho (Hong Kong)
Miguel Tabuena (Philippines)
Wade Ormsby (Australia)
Bio Kim (Korea)
Kevin Yuan (Australia)
Travis Smyth (Australia)
Gunn Charoenkul (Thailand)
Jeunghun Wang (Korea)
Ian Snyman (South Africa)
James Piot (USA)
Pavia Tangkamolprasert (Thailand)
Kazuki Higa (Japan)
Scott Hend (Australia)
Sampson Zheng (China)
Charlie Lindh (Sweden)
Aaron Wilkin (Australia)
Austen Truslow (USA)
Justin Quiban (Philippines)
Jose Toledo (Guatemala)
Jed Morgan (Australia)
Maverick Antcliff (Australia)
Nick Voke (New Zealand)
Liang Wenchong (China)
Jack Thompson (Australia)
Berry Henson (Australia)
Miguel Carballo (Argentina)
Takumi Murakami (Japan)