The All Blacks and Canterbury legend did it all during his 148 tests, leading New Zealand to two Rugby World Cups and earning three World Rugby player of the year accolades.
He has competed in the Coast to Coast and pushed himself to his limits in four Godzone events. And, if that is not enough, McCaw - who recently moved from Christchurch to Wanaka with wife Gemma and their family - is a handy helicopter pilot.
But he told the Otago Daily Times maybe golf is not his best sport. McCaw is in Arrowtown this week at the New Zealand Open, lining up in the pro-am as one of the tournament’s ambassadors.
After watching the Open as a spectator, McCaw told the Otago Daily Times teeing off in the pro-am will be a little different.
"I’m not a great golfer to be fair," McCaw told the Otago Daily Times.
"I just want to get away with (my) reputation kind of intact.
"The format’s a wee bit more forgiving. If you have a bad hole, it doesn’t matter so much — you can still contribute.
"Just standing on that first tee box, [where] a few people could be watching, you just want to make sure you get a good connection."
McCaw and former world No 1 tennis player and Grand Slam champion Ash Barty will lead the exceptional line-up of sporting talent in the 2025 New Zealand Open Pro-Am.
The group also includes cricket legends Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting, Crusaders icon Israel Dagg, as well as Jeff Wilson, motorsport star Hayden Paddon and basketballer Tom Abercrombie.
The Open will take place from February 27 to March 2 at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.
With an impressive $2 million prize pool, the tournament is set to be one of the biggest in Australasia.
McCaw said he is looking forward to being part of the event's rich sporting history.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the New Zealand Open. Golf has always been a sport I love, and to be able to play alongside the professionals as they duke it out for our national title is really exciting.
“While my heart lies in rugby, I’ve always had a deep appreciation for golf and I’m looking forward to supporting this incredible tournament.”
Barty had an “amazing experience” at the previous New Zealand Open and returns as non-playing ambassador.
“Last year was fantastic, I really connected with the tournament and being in Queenstown is always special. The hospitality and friendliness of everyone involved is second to none and always so welcoming,” said Barty.
“While I won’t be teeing it up this year, I am thrilled to be coming back to one of my favourite sporting events, spending time with volunteers and the incredible people who bring this event together.”
Ponting returns for his eighth pro-am event and is looking forward to his “favourite week of the year”.
“It’s always a privilege to be invited back and I know the other ambassadors feel the same way,” he said.
“I’ve been talking with other ambassadors and we’re all really excited. Millbrook Resort is such a beautiful place to host the tournament which keeps getting better every year.”
Ambassadors for the 2025 tournament:
- Richie McCaw, former All Black captain, two-time Rugby World Cup winner, World Rugby Hall of Fame.
- Ash Barty, former world #1 women’s tennis player, Grand Slam Champion, 15 career titles across the world.
- Hayden Paddon, New Zealand’s leading rally driver, known for his successes in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
- Tom Abercrombie, four-time National Basketball League champion and 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.
- Ricky Ponting, former Australian cricketer and one of the game’s greatest players, offering a global perspective to the event.
- Stephen Fleming, former captain of the New Zealand cricket team and one of the nation’s most respected athletes.
- Jeff Wilson, rugby legend, multi-sport icon and accomplished broadcaster, widely regarded as one of the greatest All Blacks of all time.
- Israel Dagg, former All Blacks star and World Cup champion, known for his leadership and skill on the rugby field.
-Reporting Kayla Hodge, ODT, Star News
