Jones hoisted the Brodie Breeze trophy in 2023 and is the most successful foreign player to ply his trade on the Japan Tour, recording an impressive 15 wins.

He has been a regular starter in Queenstown since the event set up shop there in 2007. Golf Australia Magazine caught up with Jones at a Callaway launch day at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, where he was singing the praises of the NZ Open and looking forward to entering the next stage of his career, the Champions Tour, where he automatically qualified through Q-school, finishing fifth and earning status.

"Regardless of whether I was ever a champion of the tournament, it's my favourite event by far [NZ Open]," Jones explains.

"The friendliest people, beautiful golf course, just incredible scenery. Queenstown is just my favourite place in the world.

"It's pretty easy to get excited about it. It's almost twofold for me, as I am a past champion. I always have that connection to the tournament.

"It's a fantastic tournament being early in the year, too; it's something to get excited about."

His triumph in 2023 was impressive. He flirted with the cut before producing a weekend clinic, including a Saturday 62. The Canberra product has been a noted winner throughout his career and has every chance of pinching another Brodie Breeze, especially after his hot run at Champions Tour Q-school.

With his 50th birthday falling on the Sunday of the NZ Open, Jones admits that although he has been known to hang around after the event's conclusion. He won't be able to do so this year, with the next chapter of his career getting underway in the U.S shortly after.

Celebrations in full flow after Jones' 2023 triumph. PHOTO: Getty Images.

"This year, it's going to be straight onto the U.S for my first tournament on the Champions Tour," Jones says.

"I'll be having my 50th birthday party on the Sunday night and flying out of Queenstown at 6:00 AM the next morning. So, there may not be any sleep to be had."

The excitement is high as he looks forward to what is next. The opportunity to start fresh and earn spots into senior major championships, rubbing shoulders with some of the game's greats.

"I get in every full field event from Q-School. But I can play my way into the majors.

"I'm not into the invitationals, not into the major championships, but if I start the year well, then I can play my way into a few of those.

"It feels like my career is starting over again. It is exciting. I'm going to be playing alongside all the guys that I watched growing up, which is going to be pretty cool.

"Also, being starstruck by a lot of the top players there, I'm a lot more mature than I was when I had my experiences on the PGA tour. I'm going in there. Yes, I'll be rubbing shoulders with VJ, Ernie, Bernhard, and household names everywhere, but I feel that I'm going to be competitive, too. It's exciting.