New Zealand Open leaderboard: Amateur Yuki Miya ahead, Hillier one back

Yuki Miya, of New Zealand, holds the clubhouse lead at the NZ Golf Open. Photo / Photosport, Chris Symes

It was late on day one when the name Yuki Miya was being mentioned around the fairways at Millbrook Resort. By the time the sun had disappeared he was one shot off the lead.

Fast forward 24 hours and Miya has signed for an opening round 63 and a second round 67 to sit at the top of the leaderboard at 12-under par.

He’s also signed autographs for a couple of young men not much younger than himself.

“I’m not really used to it,” said Miya.

That could change. After a performance on day two that he rates as an “8 or 9” out of 10, Miya is likely to have his name on the brightly lit scoreboard for much of day three at least.

“It feels good. Obviously, there’s a long way to go. Still 36 holes to play, so I’ll just do my best, keep sticking to my processes and we’ll see how the result goes.”

Yuki Miya, of New Zealan,d during Round 2 of the 105th New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown. Photo / Photosport, Chris Symes

At 20 years of age Miya is young but he’s also mature. He managed to bounce back after a double bogey in his second round and twice backed off his shot on his final hole.

“I think I heard a hole in one. Was it a hole in one?”

It wasn’t but the well-lubricated crowd that surrounds the tee and green of what will be the final hole on Sunday needs little to get excited about. After the noise settled, Miya stepped up and stuck his wedge shot within three feet and then made the birdie putt.

“I was struggling all day from 90 to 110 around that distance, so it was good to do that on the last hole and put on a good show for everyone watching.

Millbrook Resort is set up perfectly for the spectators at the 105th NZ Golf Open. Photo / Mike Thorpe

If Miya can turn his lead into a win he’ll be the first amateur to lift the Brodie Breeze trophy since Australian Jake Higginbottom in 2012. He’d be the first Kiwi amateur since Bob Charles in 1954.

“As an amateur here, I’m not expecting too much. I’m not playing for money, so it definitely takes some pressure off of me,” says Miya.

He’s had a win against professionals before – on the Charles Tour.

“Obviously, I haven’t played in a field as strong as this one in a pro tournament, but it still gives me confidence and to be up in the lead after 36 holes is enough confidence for me to feel like I can win.”

He says he struggled to sleep last night after an electric opening round that was suspended just after 8pm. He should sleep well tonight after a day that included 23 holes of golf.

In a similar boat is Dan Hillier. The pre-tournament favourite is one shot back from Miya on 11-under for a share of second with Australian Travis Smyth. Kiwi pro Kerry Mountcastle is one shot further back.

The gallery follows Daniel Hillier during his second round at the NZ Golf Open.

Hillier followed his opening round of 63 (on the Coronet course) with a solid 68 on the Remarkables course. He knows his second round could have been much lower.

“Yeah, not my best out there today, didn’t feel great over the ball. The swing felt a little bit off,” said Hillier.

The Kiwi pro still made some big putts – including an eagle on the 13th hole. Hillier was 12-under coming into the closing par 3 but found the water off the tee.

“Just stood up on that tee to hold one in against the wind and, yeah, just flipped it a bit and away she went. But yeah, nice little up and down at least to limit the damage.”

Hillier enjoyed a mountain of support throughout his second round with a big gallery throughout.

“It’s nice to come home and feel that love, and hopefully there’s more of it over the weekend.”

The group ahead of Hillier had a torrid time on the 15th hole.

“Fore!” yelled Lucas Herbert after his tee shot.

“Fore!” yelled Ryan Peake after his tee shot.

“Fore!” yelled amateur Tim McGoldrick after his tee shot.

They endangered what might be New Zealand golf’s wealthiest gallery. Among them were billionaires Graeme Hart and Nick Mowbray. Nobody was injured but the wayward tee shots helped kill offis Peake’s chances of defending the title he won last year. Peake sits at even par and not likely to make the cut.

Nick Mowbray and Graeme Hart in the gallery at Millbrook Resort for the NZ Golf Open.

The team of Herbert and McGoldrick are looking better in the pro-am, tied for 14th. Some of the better-known amateurs have struggled. Kelly Slater says he couldn’t find a putt but he did find his new favourite food tent.

The greatest surfer of all time fell in love with the beef on offer from Coleridge Downs.

“Kelly came through three times. He came back with his wife and his family after he’d finished his round, and then hung around for half an hour and just had a good yarn about New Zealand farming.

“And then his partner ended up coming back and getting some more steak for him that he wanted for the evening. He didn’t want to go out for dinner. He preferred to have Coleridge Downs meat,” beams director David Mills.

Surfing great Kelly Slater at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown. Photo / Mike Thorpe

It might also have had something to do with world champion barbecue exponent Troy Billborough’s cooking.

The second round is likely to be suspended late on Friday night and completed early on Saturday morning before the third round gets under way.

Mike Thorpe is a senior multimedia journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch. He has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024.