Here’s a look at some of the strongest talents the Aussie six will have to overcome at Royal Wellington Golf Club.

Although no New Zealander has ever won the championship before, two of the host nation’s best players should go close this year.

Nick Voke, in particular, poses a significant threat. The 23-year-old from Windross Farm Golf Club is making his fourth appearance at the event, after finishing 11th last year. A home advantage should see him at least crack the top-10 this week.

“Having the event in your home country is obviously pretty awesome,” Voke said. “For all of us here, I think there's always going to be that little bit of expectation around it all but you can take it two ways.

“You can either think:  ‘Everyone is expecting me to do well and I need to pull my head in and do my best.’ or, you can think, ‘this is a great opportunity, I've got a lot of support and think of it as a positive thing.’

Nick Voke has amassed five college victories since 2014. PHOTO: David Paul Morris/AAC.

“I think the success to this event is how you handle everything off the golf course,” Voke said. “We don't get much exposures to press conferences like this and having TV cameras in our face … if you handle everything well off the golf course, you'll do well on the golf course.”

One of Voke’s compatriots, Ryan Chisnall, should also be considered a strong chance this week and has learnt a lot from his neighbours across the Tasman.

“We play week‑in, week‑out, quite a lot with the Aussies, so we've formed some pretty good friendships,” Chisnall said. “It's pretty cool for us to spend a few days with them and see how they go about their work leading into an event – and all the information they try to gather.”

Chisnall has won three events in New Zealand since 2014. And the 23-year-old has his eyes fixed firmly on a prize he’s dreamt of winning since he was a child.

“For us to play the Masters, not only as an amateur, but in your career, is a milestone in your career,” Chisnall said. “Just watching it on TV, since you were a boy, seeing everything that unfolds is pretty special. And the British Open, as well, is a completely different style of golf – so two very special opportunities.”

Ryan Chisnall working on his short game. PHOTO: Dave Lintott/ACC.

Outside of New Zealand, China poses the greatest threat to Australia’s hopes, fielding two past champions – Guan Tianlang and Jin Cheng.

Cheng is making his sixth appearance and clinched the tournament in 2015, after shooting a course-record 62 at Hong Kong’s Clearwater Bay G&CC.

“APAC has always been one of my favourite tournaments during the year,” Cheng said. “Winning it in 2015 was one of my greatest achievements … it brought me to Augusta – something I’ll never forget.”

Jin Cheng eyes off another victory at the APAC. PHOTO: Moon Liu/AAC.

Cheng has a mature head on his shoulders – as well as plenty of experience – to put in a good result this week. But the 19-year-old is expecting a difficult test this week from both the Australians and New Zealanders.

“It is never a doubt that the APAC has the best field of all the (amateur) tournaments,” Cheng said. “But in this weather, I believe that the Australian and New Zealand players, who are already very good, can be very competitive.”

Guan Tianlang joins Cheng as another past winner (2012) to form a strong Chinese team.

Elsewhere, India’s Rayhan Thomas is the highest ranked player in the field outside Australia. The 17-year-old young gun is 26th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and attends the Butch Harmon School of Golf.