Herbert, Smylie and Micheluzzi all eyeing off a spot in this year’s British Open

A win at this week’s New Zealand Open in Queenstown has some major benefits.

Earning a place in this year’s British Open field will weigh heavily on the minds of Australian trio Lucas Herbert, Elvis Smylie and David Micheluzzi at this week’s New Zealand Open.

The winner of the co-sanctioned PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour event – which starts on Thursday at Millbrook Golf Resort in Queenstown – will secure a spot in July’s British Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

“It’s a dream of mine to play majors,” said 22-year-old Smylie, who won November’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland and leads the PGA Tour of Australasia’s order of merit.

“It’s a dream of mine to compete against the best players in the world and to see where my game adds up, and I’ve just got to keep playing well and keep giving myself opportunities.

“We’ll see what happens this week and let it be.”

Elvis Smylie is hoping to add the New Zealand Open crown to his Australian PGA Championship crown. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Chasing Queenslander Smylie in the order of merit race is LIV Golf’s Herbert, who won the NSW Open in November.

“This is a tournament I’d love to win, and with the order of merit, with the major exemptions that come with winning this week or winning the order or merit, they’re priorities I’d love to achieve in my career, as well as they’d be great this year to go to play in major championships,” 29-year-old Victorian Herbert said.

“Joining LIV, our major championship access gets a little bit more cut off, so it’s a really good opportunity and I’d love to take advantage of it this week

“There’s certainly a lot going on this week, and it’s a week that I’ve looked forward to for a few weeks now because I knew this challenge would come up.”

Micheluzzi, who plies his trade extensively on the DP World Tour after securing his card by winning PGA Tour of Australasia’s order of merit in 2023, said the opportunity to earn a British Open spot was an extra reason to play in Queenstown this week.

David Micheluzzi is targeting New Zealand Open glory. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

“It’s probably one of the best places in the world, and I just like the golf course,” the 28-year-old Victorian said.

“I was playing here no matter what, but when I saw that the winner gets a place in the Open Championship, it’s obviously like `all right, let’s get into it’.

“Just everything with my putting just seems really nice at the moment. If I’m good, tee to green this week, I’m feeling really comfortable.”

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