Danny Lee (NZ)
Just about everyone wants a New Zealander to win at Millbrook. Daniel Hillier is the best Kiwi in the 156-strong professional field, and Josh Geary, Michael Hendry and recent Sydney tournament winner Nick Voke will be others in the mix. But all eyes will be on Lee, who makes a stunning return to the New Zealand Open after a 16-year exile. Will be fascinating to see how he performs.
Ben Campbell (NZ)
If "Cambo" fulfils a long-held dream and lifts the Brodie Breeze Trophy in front of his adoring home fans in Arrowtown, the cheers will be heard from all parts of the region. He is humble and hard-working, and he can also flat-out play. The LIV professional has two runner-up finishes at the tournament.
Ryo Ishikawa (Japan)
Takahiro Hataji broke through last year to become the first Japanese winner of the New Zealand Open. Could this bloke make it two in a row? Ishikawa was a boy wonder who won a Japan Tour event aged 15 and became the youngest golfer to enter the world top 100, then the world top 50. While a brief spell on the PGA Tour was relatively unproductive, he has 20 wins on the Japan Tour.
Anthony Quayle (Aus)
Yeah, yeah. Most years, we focus on which New Zealander might provide a fairytale Open story ... then some random Australian usually wins. Quayle is in sizzling form with two top-five finishes this year, and he tied for third at Millbrook last year. If not him, look for Elvis Smylie to get everyone all shook up (sorry) or Brad Kennedy to stage another run.
John Catlin (USA)
The Open has not had an American winner since Alex Prugh and Bobby Gates went back-to-back at The Hills in 2009-10. Catlin is fresh off clinching the Asian Tour order of merit, which included two tournament wins and six other top-10 finishes. He also shot a 59. Oh, and tied for 16th at the British Open. In short, the man can play.
