Leading the contingent is 2026 New Zealand Open champion Daniel Hillier, who secured his place in golf’s oldest major by finishing inside the top 25 on the final DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings, earning his return to The Open after a standout year on the international stage.
For Hillier, the opportunity to compete in another Open Championship is one he has worked tirelessly towards.
“To qualify for The Open is incredibly special. It’s one of the tournaments every golfer dreams of playing, and to know I’ll be teeing it up at Royal Birkdale is something I’m really proud of. Winning the New Zealand Open gave me so much confidence, and I hope to carry that in to The Open.”
Daniel Hillier of New Zealand talks to media celebrating his win at the 105th New Zealand Open. ©Copyright Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
Joining him is Australia’s Lucas Herbert, who booked his place at Royal Birkdale by claiming the Open Qualifying Series exemption available at the New Zealand Open. Herbert secured the coveted berth after finishing runner-up to Hillier in Queenstown, underlining the tournament’s growing significance as a direct pathway to The Open Championship.
Herbert said earning his place through the New Zealand Open made the achievement even more rewarding.
“The Open is the championship every golfer wants to play, so securing my place through the New Zealand Open was huge. It was a great week in Queenstown, and while I would have loved to lift the trophy, leaving with a spot at Royal Birkdale made it a very worthwhile trip.”
Lucas Herbert in action during the final round of the 105th New Zealand Open. Credit: Ricky Robinson
The New Zealand Open’s influence extends well beyond its two headline qualifiers, with a further seven players from this year’s championship earning their place in the field through performances across the global tours.
New Zealand’s Kazuma Kobori is the latest to qualify thanks to an outstanding performance at the West Lancashire qualifying event, and claiming his spot at Royal Birkdale.
Kazuki Higa, Ren Yonezawa and Naoyuki Kataoka will all represent the strong Japanese contingent, while Australia’s Travis Smyth and Cameron John join American Austen Truslow to complete the list of this year’s New Zealand Open alumni teeing it up at Royal Birkdale.
Kazuki Higa during the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort. Photo: Michael Thomas / Photosport
The impressive representation once again highlights the quality and international depth of the New Zealand Open field, with the tournament’s reputation as one of the world’s premier Open Qualifying Series events, offering players a direct route to golf’s original major while attracting a world-class international field to Queenstown each year.
