Sure to attract plenty of support from the local fans, the contingent includes Kazuma Kobori, Michael Hendry, Nick Voke, Kerry Mountcastle, Josh Geary and Tyler Hodge - all established winners on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.

Leading the group is Kobori, a DP World Tour member who enjoyed a breakout season on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia in 2023/34, winning three tournaments and the Order of Merit title.

“I haven’t had a chance to play in a big professional tournament in Auckland before so it's something I’m really looking forward to,” Kobori said.

“We’ve had plenty of Kiwi winners on the Tour in the last few years. Hopefully one of us can get this title at the first attempt.”

Nick Voke, who balances playing professional golf with a burgeoning online golf presence, is a member at Royal Auckland & Grange and would love to win on his home course.

“I'm excited to see how they set it up. If they wanted to, even-par could win it,” he said.

“There'll be a few of us home members there. I'll be one of them and I'm thrilled it's there. It's a proper championship course. I'm playing well. Who knows?.”

Hendry, Kobori and Hodge are all previous winners of the NZ PGA Championship, with Hendry also having a NZ Open title on his outstanding career record.

“I haven’t had a chance to play in a big professional tournament in Auckland before so it's something I’m really looking forward to.” - Kazuma Kobori.

PGA of Australasia General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey said the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship, co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and Japan Golf Tour, would be an outstanding event to finish the three-week swing of professional events in New Zealand.

“It’s fantastic to see such a high-quality group of New Zealand professionals committing to the inaugural ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship,” Dastey said.

“They have a strong presence on our Tour. Each of these players has proven themselves as a winner on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, showing the depth of talent coming out of New Zealand.”