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FWC on Sport Nation guide'Incredible opportunity': Celebrating New Zealand's new golf era
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • July 15th, 2026 2:09 pm
Kiwi Hall of Famer Lydia Ko fired the best round of her LPGA career to lead the Ford Championship | Photo: AP
After nearly a decade away, top-level women’s golf is making its long-awaited return to New Zealand and few people are more excited than Sport Nation hosts Israel Dagg and Scotty Stevenson.
The New Zealand Women’s Golf Open event will be held at Wainui Golf Club in March 2027, and is locked in through to 2030.
Speaking on Scotty & Izzy on Wednesday, Dagg described the announcement as some of the best sporting news New Zealand has received in years, with Kiwi golfing superstar Lydia Ko set to headline the tournament's return.
“I am so excited about this. The best news to come through in golf, in sport, in this country. 10 years has been a long time since we've seen Lydia on our shores.”
A field of 132 players will compete in the tournament, with broadcasts to 94 international markets, providing significant global exposure for New Zealand golf.
The competitive drive that keeps Dame Lydia Ko motivated | Scotty & Izzy
Dagg explained one of the most exciting aspects of the tournament is the pathway it creates for emerging Kiwi golfers as Golf New Zealand has reserved places for promising local professionals and amateurs, including winners from key domestic competitions and graduates of the Lydia Ko Scholarship Programme.
Stevenson agreed, saying “we've got a lot of promising young female golfers here in New Zealand and it's great to see that they will get these opportunities through the structure of the tournament to be able to participate or play.”
He noted the importance of giving aspiring female golfers access to world-class competition on home soil, wondering whether some of Ko’s biggest international rivals might be tempted to make the trip to New Zealand.
While Dagg wasn’t certain players like world No. 1 Nelly Korda would attend, he believed leading Australians including Minjee Lee and Hannah Green would be strong possibilities to jump over the ditch.
Minjee Lee | Photo: Brian Spurlock/Photosport
And with there is approximately $800,000 on the line, Dagg believes it is a way to give back to the younger generation.
“I can imagine that Golf New Zealand would wrap some support and there'll be some coaching clinics, there'll be some camps. Steven Adams in fact comes back every year and does these amazing basketball camps.”
They agreed there is an opportunity to attract world-class athletes through experiences that extend beyond sport itself.
Dagg said “we often forget how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country,” while mentioning recent comments from world No.1 Scottie Scheffler about wanting to visit New Zealand with his family.
The country’s renowned golf courses, unique landscape, food, wineries and lifestyle all add to its appeal.
Stevenson urged that golf tourism represents a significant opportunity for New Zealand, attracting high-spending international visitors who travel specifically for premium sporting experiences.
“Regardless of whether you love golf or not, it’s a chance to bring really high-value tourists to our country and showcase it.”
“It’s an incredible opportunity,” said Stevenson.
Listen to the full conversation below:
