Now they just need one of the Kiwi players to break a bit of a drought.
Tournament organisers have announced a "Kiwi Challenge" ahead of the opening round on Thursday.
All caddies for New Zealand players will have special bibs featuring the New Zealand flag so the fans on the fairways can track the homegrown stars and have their fingers crossed one of them ends the week at Millbrook with the Brodie Breeze Trophy.
"The Kiwi Challenge is something we have done to support the current generation of Kiwi pros, who are not only representing the country around the world but all desperately want to see the next name on the trophy a Kiwi name," tournament director Michael Glading said.
"This is a fantastic way for fans to show their support and recognise the incredible talent representing New Zealand.
"It’s all about celebrating local players and creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved."
Having a New Zealander win his national open is not as simple as it sounds.
The Kiwis are comfortably outnumbered by leading Asian Tour and Australian players at the $2 million Open.
And the numbers do not lie.
Since Otago golfer Mahal Pearce stormed to a fairy tale victory in 2003, only Michael Hendry in 2017 has managed to provide a New Zealand victory.
Outside those two, there have been 11 Australian winners, two from the United States and one each from Sweden and England, before Takahiro Hataji last year became the first Japanese winner.
There are plenty of strong New Zealand contenders in the field at Millbrook.
Queenstown favourite Ben Campbell would dearly love to win at home after being a runner-up twice, Daniel Hillier has the game to go all the way, Steven Alker brings his form from the Champions Tour and Josh Geary has threatened several times.
Then all eyes will be on Danny Lee, the former prodigy turned LIV golfer, who returns to the New Zealand Open for the first time since 2009.
