[Photo: PhotoSport NZ]

Five-time PGA Tour Kevin Na is starting a new chapter of his professional career this week in a place he has quickly fallen in love with.

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The 42-year-old is one of the main, and most intriguing, attractions at this year’s New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort after finishing up with LIV Golf at the end of its 2025 season.

For the first time since beginning his professional career as Rookie of the Year on the Asian Tour in 2002, Na doesn’t have a permanent golf home in 2026.

He’s come to New Zealand for the first time with a prime goal of having some fun.

“I want to be that kid again that when you first start playing and you travel to different parts of the world, any tournament you get into you’re excited to tee it up and maybe when you do this for a long time, sometimes that fades away, but I know it’s still there,” he said.

“I’m really excited this week. I think I want to find that bubble, that bubbly and exciting feeling again.

“This place is amazing. It’s beautiful. The golf course is great. I’m really enjoying myself.”

With no major championships on his schedule yet for 2026, Na is keenly aware that a place at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale awaits the winner at Millbrook on Sunday.

“I’d like to have a chance at that,” he said.

“Game’s feeling well. I haven’t played in a while, but I feel like my game’s feeling pretty good. I’ve got a great partner this week, so I’m looking forward to having some fun.”

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And with his schedule open, don’t discount seeing more of Na in this part of the world more often.

“I feel like I want to play parts of the world that I want to go to and some of the events that are cool events. This was one of them. This was a no-brainer for me,” he said.

“End of the year, I think Australia has some great events – Australian PGA and Australian Open, definitely interested.

“Being able to travel different parts of the world that you want to see and, at the same time play some golf, I think is pretty cool.”