NZ Open: Elvis Smylie, Guntaek Koh, in strong positions, Lucas Herbert threatens

Elvis Smylie took a stranglehold on the PGA Tour of Australasia order of merit title as Korea’s Guntaek Koh threatened to run away with the New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Elvis Smylie plays a shot during day 3 of the 2025 New Zealand Open. Picture: Getty Images

Elvis Smylie took a stranglehold on the PGA Tour of Australasia order of merit title as Korea’s Guntaek Koh threatened to run away with the New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Australian PGA Championship winner Smylie, who already holds a DP World Tour card courtesy of his victory at Royal Queensland in November, is edging towards more major starts later this year after climbing the leaderboard at Millbrook on Saturday.

The 22-year-old fired a six-under 65 in his third round, leaving him with an outside chance of claiming the New Zealand Open at the picturesque venue on the south island.

Smylie (-16) started the week in top spot on the order of merit, but had the threat of Lucas Herbert teeing it up this week, with a victory for the LIV Golf star allowing him to challenge Smylie.

But with Herbert (-10) dropping out of contention in his second round – he shot a five-under 66 to steady the ship on Saturday – Smylie can all but seal a first order of merit success after a breakthrough six months.

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Elvis Smylie tees off during day two of the New Zealand Open. Picture: Getty Images

“I haven’t looked at the order of merit projected standings or anything,” Smylie said. “I know the golf will take care of itself.

“It’s still a goal of mine to finish on top of that. I’ve said that since October. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, and we’ll see what happens.

“It would be special to come back (from six behind to also win this tournament). I know I can do that and it’s definitely motivating.”

But it will be a stretch to catch Koh (-22), who holed out from the middle of the fairway for eagle on the par-four 12th of Millbrook’s composite course to surge four shots clear of Western Australian Ryan Peake (-18).

Korea’s Guntaek Koh during round three of the NZ Open. Picture: Michael Thomas / Photosport

Koh started the day three shots ahead of James Marchesani (-15), but quickly built on that lead with birdies on his first three holes.

His closest challenger is Peake, whose remarkable comeback story gathers pace this season.

Peake had to delay his entry into New Zealand until Tuesday night as he awaited immigration approval after spending five years in prison as a former Rebels bikie, and has been candid about turning his life around in recent years.

Australia’s Ryan Peake during round three of the NZ Open. Picture: Michael Thomas / Photosport

“I’ll reflect on all that (the late arrival into Queenstown) after the tournament, but in the meantime I’m mid tournament going into a final round,” Peake said. “I’m here just trying to do my job and I want to make sure I get that done.

“I’m doing well to make a score from where I am. I just need to start hitting some more fairways.”

Peake signed for a seven-under 64 to move into outright second, a shot ahead of Japan’s Kazuki Higa, South Africa’s Ian Snyman and China’s Bobby Bai, who are tied third at 17-under.

Originally published as NZ Open: Elvis Smylie, Guntaek Koh, in strong positions, Lucas Herbert threatens