Cooper Moore: Teen amateur chasing historic NZ Open golf breakthrough

Cooper Moore returns to the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown. Photo / Photosport

At just 17, Cooper Moore is proving he belongs alongside golfers more than twice his age, following his breakout second place at the NZ PGA Championship over the weekend as he now sets his sights on becoming the first Kiwi amateur in 70 years to win the New Zealand Open.

Moore has topped both the amateur ranks – winning the 2024 New Zealand Amateur Championship and the Australian Junior Boys’ Amateur in Brisbane last year – before adding a professional win at the Mount Open on the Charles Tour last year.

The St Bede’s College student is coming off a second place finish at the NZ PGA Championship where he finished three shots back from winner Austen Truslow at Paraparaumu Golf Club.

“My week at Paraparaumu was pretty special. I was walking off the course on Friday morning thinking I was probably going to miss the cut and then Sunday afternoon, was in the final group. It changed pretty quickly I guess in the space of about 30 hours. Then the way I played on Sunday was nice. I was really patient and made a few birdies and got up into the lead and Austen just pulled away over the last nine holes.”

There are not many sports where you are often up against someone more than twice your age. He regularly battles the likes of Kiwi veterans Michael Hendry, NZ Open winner in 2017, and Josh Geary on the Charles Tour while PGA Tour Champions winner Steven Alker will be lining up at the NZ Open. He has 37 years on Moore.

“I get treated quite well. Feel like I’m just one of them out there and they probably feel the same about me at times,” Moore added. “When I play well I believe I can beat anyone. I’ve made the statement that way with a few of my results now, starting to get well known amongst the pros in Australasia.”

The last amateur to win the NZ Open was Jake Higginbottom in 2012, while Sir Bob Charles also won it as a teenage amateur in 1956.

There’s also the fact a Kiwi hasn’t lifted the Brodie Breeze Trophy since 2017.

Cooper Moore will appear in his second NZ Open. Photo / BW Media / Golf New Zealand

“Would be pretty cool to do that at age 17. But for me I know I will get plenty more chances if I don’t do it this week. For me at the moment it’s just about getting myself ready for five-10 years down the track when I get the chance to win on a Sunday at the New Zealand Open.”

Last year, Moore missed the cut at Millbrook on his debut but is taking a bit more confidence into this week’s event.

“A slight bit easier, a bit more knowledge on the golf course and what to expect and what’s involved in the weekend. It’s a pretty cool week to be a part of.

“It’s probably quite similar to what I have back home at Clearwater. Resort style course, pretty comfortable with it. I’d say it does suit the majority of my game.”

With so much golf at the start of the year, Moore’s yet to attend school this term, the Year 13 student missing the first few months at St Bede’s College.

“They’re very supportive of the golf side. I’m really lucky with their support. To still be able to pursue the golf career at the same time as doing school – it’s nice to know I’ve always got that support from them. I won’t go back until March 19 and over the winter period I’ll look to go over to Europe and play a few amateur events over there so I’ll probably miss four weeks over there.”

After the New Zealand Open, the big event on the horizon for Moore and fellow Kiwi amateurs is the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which will be contested at Te Arai Links South Course. Last year he was the best finishing Kiwi in 17th. The winner receives an invitation to compete in the following year’s Masters and an exemption into the 155th Open at St Andrews.

“My plans at the moment is try and play as many international golf events as possible to get myself ready to look to go pro at the end of 2027.”

Cameron McMillan has been a sports journalist since 2003 and is NZME’s Deputy Head of Sport.