Dame Lydia Ko to Headline Return of New Zealand Women's Open at Wainui

Auckland is set to welcome back elite women's golf as the New Zealand Women’s Open returns after a decade-long absence. Olympic gold medallist and three-time major champion Dame Lydia Ko has confirmed her participation in the tournament, which will be held from 18-21 March 2027 at the Wainui Golf Club and Function Centre near Silverdale. The event marks a significant return to home soil for Ko, who has spent the last decade competing primarily on the international stage. As reported by the NZ Herald on 13 July 2026, the 132-strong field will compete for a prize pool of $808,000. The tournament returns under a new four-year agreement supported by New Zealand Major Events and Auckland Council Events, ensuring the competition remains on the calendar until at least 2030. Dame Lydia Ko, a former world No 1 who grew up on the North Shore, expressed her excitement about playing close to home. She previously won the title three times, including as an amateur in 2013 and back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016. In the NZ Herald report, Ko stated that the return of the event is fantastic for the game and that playing in front of a home crowd is always special. Local fans will also see recent Kiwi talent on display, with current Ladies’ European Tour (LET) athletes Amelia Garvey and Momoka Kobori expected to join the field. Golf New Zealand chief executive Jeff Latch noted that the event is a key part of the national goal to double the number of women and girls playing golf in Aotearoa. He said that seeing the world's best players up close would inspire future generations of talent.