Mountcastle’s tie for third place at Millbrook earlier this year was one of the standout performances by a New Zealander in a tournament ultimately won by fellow Kiwi Daniel Hillier. While the result delivered valuable Official World Golf Ranking points and a significant boost up the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, it also unlocked an unexpected opportunity overseas.
“I heard from Michael Hendry after the event that there is quite often an invite for the top Kiwi finisher at the New Zealand Open,” Mountcastle explained. “I wasn’t completely sure until Michael Glading reached out asking if I would be interested in taking up the invite.”
Kerry Mountcastle during Round 3 of 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort. © Copyright Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
The invitation provides another international opportunity for the 30-year-old, whose career continues to build momentum after a strong 2025/26 season highlighted by his runner-up finish at the Vic Open and a second New Zealand Super 6s title.
Looking back, Mountcastle says his performance at Millbrook Resort came at a pivotal point in his season.
“That result was very important for my momentum, confidence and also my job security on the Australian tour,” he said.
“Going into the New Zealand Open week, I was outside the top 50 on the Order of Merit, which is the threshold for keeping my card for next season. That finish jumped me into the top 20 and guaranteed my card.
“It also confirmed to me that what I had been working on and how I was feeling about my game were right. After the first half of the season, with a stretch of average results, it would have been easy to start doubting myself.”
That confidence carried through the remainder of the season, with Mountcastle identifying his approach play and putting as key strengths in recent months.
“My approach play and putting have both been very solid since the New Zealand Open, which has given me a lot of good opportunities for birdies and then being able to capitalise on those opportunities with the flat stick.”
While Mountcastle has limited experience competing in Japan, having previously played the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup as an amateur in 2018, he is relishing the opportunity to test himself in a new environment.
“I haven’t done much research into the standard of golf in Japan, but I’m expecting a high level of golf when I get there,” he said.
“I’m mainly just looking forward to playing an event again. It’s been a couple of months since my last tournament and I finished the season playing some really solid golf, so I’m looking forward to getting out there and trying to carry that form through.”
Kerry Mountcastle with his wife on the bag during Round 3 of 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort. © Copyright Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
Importantly, he won’t be making the journey alone. His wife, Georgia will be on the bag throughout the week, providing a familiar face in a foreign environment.
“Having Georgia there seems to do a really good job of keeping me calm and level and just having a really good time out there,” Mountcastle said.
“Japan is also somewhere that both of us have wanted to visit for a long time, so I’m sure we’ll spend our time away from the golf course searching for some great food options and enjoying the experience.”
For Mountcastle, opportunities such as the Japan Players Championship highlight the important role the New Zealand Open continues to play in creating pathways for Kiwi professionals.
“Opportunities like this are exactly what we need to gain experience and exposure,” he said.
“We all want to travel and play tournaments against strong opposition around the world, and opportunities like this give us a great chance to do that.”
As one of New Zealand’s leading professionals, Mountcastle remains passionate about the national championship that helped create this latest opportunity.
“It means a lot to me,” he said of the New Zealand Open. “It’s our premier event and the biggest opportunity to showcase golf in New Zealand with a strong field. I’m always excited when I get the chance to compete in it.”
And while Daniel Hillier became the latest Kiwi to lift the Brodie Breeze Trophy in 2026, Mountcastle admits adding his own name to that famous trophy remains one of his biggest ambitions.
“That would be a bit of a dream come true really,” he said. “I’m sure every golfer grows up dreaming of winning their home Open, so if I were able to get my name on that trophy it would be amazing.”
For now, however, his focus turns to Japan, where another opportunity awaits—one earned through his impressive result earlier this year and another reminder of the pathways the New Zealand Open continues to create for Kiwi golfers on the world stage.
The Japan Players Championship will be held at the Nishi Nasuno Country Club in Tochigi Prefecture between July 2-5, 2026.
