The R&A has announced the New Zealand Open will become part of the Open Qualifying Series, offering a pathway to the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The winner of the upcoming 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport (or the highest-placing non-exempt player) will earn a spot in golf’s oldest major championship.
Tournament Chairman John Hart celebrated the achievement: “This signals our event’s growing stature on the world stage. Being part of the Open Qualifying Series has been one of our long-term goals, and we’re delighted to see it realized. We thank Golf New Zealand, the R&A, and our Tour partners for making this possible. We hope this additional incentive will inspire our Kiwi professionals to not only claim the New Zealand Open but also make their mark at Royal Portrush.”
Sir Bob Charles, the sole New Zealander to have won The Open Championship, praised the development: “I’m very pleased that the R&A has recognized the New Zealand Open’s recent growth. The winner will undoubtedly treasure this opportunity to compete at Royal Portrush next year.”
Golf New Zealand CEO Jeff Latch described the announcement as transformative for the sport domestically: “This is a massive moment for golf in New Zealand. Having a direct pathway from Queenstown to The Open at Royal Portrush elevates both our players’ opportunities and the tournament’s prestige. It confirms our position in global golf and offers an aspiring player the chance to compete for the Claret Jug.”
The 104th New Zealand Open will be held at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from February 27 to March 2. For additional information, visit nzopen.com.
