It's not a bad payday.
The overall purse for this year’s New Zealand Open, the 102nd edition of the annual tournament, has increased to $1.7 million — a 17% jump since the Open was last played.
The prizemoney comprises $1.65 million for the Open, the winner of which will receive $297,000, and $50,000 for the NZ Pro-Am championship.
Being played at Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort on March 2-5, it will be the first time the Open has teed off since February 2020.
It also marks the 10th anniversary of the pro-am format in Queenstown, over which time the prizemoney has increased by $1.25 million.
Tournament chairman John Hart said that was thanks to the continued support of existing sponsors and partners, and new sponsorship income.
"Our goal has always been to deliver an event that is financially attractive to the best players from New Zealand, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour.
"And, at the same time, make every effort to ensure financial sustainability for the long-term future of the tournament."
He said this year’s Open was looking like it would boast one of the strongest international professional fields in the event’s history.
