Australian Harrison Crowe made a powerful statement at the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport, carding a sensational nine-under-par 62 to claim the first-round lead at Millbrook Golf Resort.
The 23-year-old rumbled through the Remarkables Course with an aggressive approach, tallying nine birdies and an eagle, with only one blemish—a double-bogey on the 13th hole after a wayward tee shot went out of bounds.
![Harrison Crowe fires a stunning 62 to lead the first round of the New Zealand Open. [photo credit: Michael Thomas | Photosport]](http://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/250225NZOpenRd1_114-scaled.jpg)
Crowe, a former NSW Open champion, is still in search of his first professional win but was pleased with his opening round.
“I definitely had a lot of things going my way today, and I think to shoot those rounds you have to,” Crowe said. “I had the putter going, so it was nice to keep the momentum going after that one mistake.”
Leaderboard Highlights: Marchesani, Herbert, and Asian Tour Stars in Contention
Crowe leads a tight leaderboard, with James Marchesani just one shot back at 63, followed by Kevin Yuan and Korea’s Guntaek Koh, who posted 64s on the Coronet Course.
LIV Golf’s Lucas Herbert also fired a 64, showing confidence with his new putter.
“I felt like I’d struggled with the putter for a while and I felt like I putted okay today without being amazing, but it wasn’t bad either,” said Herbert, who represents Ripper GC on LIV Golf.
“It’s probably going to be a week of low scoring, so it was good to get off to a hot start and not feel like we’re chasing from a long way back.”
Japan’s Kazuki Higa, China’s Bai Zhengkai, and Australia’s Travis Smyth also impressed, carding 65s to tie for sixth place.
Kiwi Contenders and Defending Champion’s Start
Among the New Zealand hopefuls, Josh Geary and Michael Hendry emerged as the top local performers, posting 66s to sit in a tie for ninth place.
Defending champion Takahiro Hataji of Japan opened with a 69, while Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig, fresh off his Asian Development Tour win, posted a 71.
New Zealand’s Nick Voke, coming off a victory at the Webex Players Series Sydney, struggled with a 73.
Event Details and What’s Next
The NZ$2 million tournament is co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, with the Japan Golf Tour also involved.
This marks the third stop of the season on the Asian Tour, promising an exciting battle ahead as the field chases Crowe into the second round.
