Ryan Peake To Defend His New Zealand Open Crown

The New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook is proud to announce the return of its reigning champion, Ryan Peake, who will tee it up once again in 2026 as he looks to defend the title that transformed his career.

Peake, who captured the hearts of fans across both sides of the Tasman with his breakthrough victory earlier this year, says returning as defending champion is a milestone he’s been looking forward to.

“Pretty cool. Never got to do it before in such a significant event,” Peake said. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”

Since lifting the Brodie Breeze Trophy, Peake’s career has surged forward. His win earned him full status on the Asian Tour, launching a whirlwind year of travel, competition, and development. His win in Queenstown also helped secure a DP World Tour card through his standing on the 2024/25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit — an achievement he describes as both challenging and deeply rewarding.

“It was busy before I won New Zealand, and then winning got me my Asian Tour card. I was straight on the road, learning to travel the world again. It’s been challenging but great character building,” he said

“Now I’m turning my focus towards my DP World Tour card. It’s been quite crazy, but I’m just looking forward to getting back to New Zealand.”

“There hasn’t been any individual result that stands out—it’s all been one big development. Knowing that I earned the opportunities I have now is really rewarding for me and my team.”

Peake’s journey has been well documented, but he remains grounded about his past and how it shapes him.

“Other people look at my story differently. For me, it’s just my life—something I live and deal with every day. It doesn’t feel as extraordinary to me as it might to others,” he said.

His victory at the New Zealand Open not only launched his international season—it also made him the first New Zealand Open champion to win a start at The Open Championship. It’s an honour he hopes to secure again.

“I didn’t know I was the first to get that. Credit to the New Zealand Open for securing that opportunity again. That’s part of the reason why I’m excited to defend, because The Open spot is up for grabs again. I didn’t perform my best at Portrush this year, but it’s definitely something I want more of.”

Peake also reflected fondly on the support he received from fans during his winning run, crediting a pre-round conversation with his coach for helping him embrace the moment.

“He told me to engage with the crowd, to make them feel part of it. He said I wouldn’t have the majority of the support, but if I did that, things would change. By the time that last putt dropped, it felt like 97% of the crowd were behind me,” Peake said.
Today, he still feels the impact of that support.

“New Zealanders come up to me on the street now—they recognise me and say, ‘You won the New Zealand Open.’ They’ve made me feel like I’m part of the country. It’s been pretty cool.”

The New Zealand Open returns to Millbrook Resort in Queenstown from 26 February to 1 March 2026, where fans will once again have the opportunity to witness Ryan Peake chase history.

About the 105th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook | nzopen.com 

The tournament is one of New Zealand’s leading sporting events with a long and prestigious history. It was founded in 1907 and will be played for the 105th time between February 26 and March 1, 2026.

The New Zealand Open is the only National Open in world golf played in a Pro-Am format, is a co-sanctioned event on the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour schedules and has a partnership agreement with the Japan Golf Tour.

A professional field will play the first two rounds alternately at Millbrook Resort’s Coronet and Remarkables courses. The final two rounds will be played on a composite course including holes from both courses.

The New Zealand Open Champion will be the leading player after 72 holes of stroke play.

For the second year in succession, the leading not already exempt player at the end of the New Zealand Open will earn the right to play at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale in 2026 via the Open Qualifying Series.

The tournament also hosts 156 amateur players, each partnering with a professional in a two-man best-ball event, competing for the New Zealand Open Pro-Am Championship.

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