Josh Geary returns to familiar territory this week as he targets a remarkable fourth consecutive Carrus Tauranga Open title at Tauranga Golf Club.
The defending champion has dominated the event over the past three years, highlighted by an extraordinary performance in 2025 when he finished 29-under-par and 12 shots clear of the field.
Geary capped that victory with a final-round 60, threatening the elusive sub-60 barrier on the course where he grew up playing.
Now he is back for the 20th edition of the Carrus Tauranga Open, although his focus is firmly on rediscovering his best golf rather than dwelling on his previous success.
Geary endured a mixed week at the Christies Floorings Mount Open, struggling with his driver before finding encouraging signs during the final round, which was eventually abandoned because of extreme winds.
“The first couple of days I was just really bad off the tee. I was driving it really poorly,” Geary said.
“Then in the last round I started to figure a few things out. The swing felt better, I was hitting it better, and then obviously we got called off.”
Accuracy from the tee will be particularly important at Tauranga, where Geary’s wedge play and short game have repeatedly allowed him to take advantage.
“If I’m driving it well, this course definitely suits my game,” he said.
“For me, the big key is driving. If I drive it well around here then I’ll score really well, but it’s super tight in places, and it doesn’t take much to be a bit off.”
Last year, Geary managed increasingly firm and fast conditions superbly before everything clicked during his closing 60.
“The big key was pretty much course management,” he said.
This year’s tournament carries extra significance, marking the 20th edition of an event Geary has been closely connected with throughout his career.
He grew up playing at Tauranga Golf Club and still has strong ties to the club and its members.
“It’s the course I’ve been a member at growing up. I’ve spent a lot of time here and know a lot of the members, so it’s pretty cool to have that hometown sort of vibe.”
The Summerset Charles Tour Order of Merit is also tightening. Kerry Mountcastle leads on 974.5 points, with Mount Open champion Jayden Ford climbing to second on 719.25. Tyler Wood sits third ahead of Cameron Harlock and Jake Meenhorst.
Another player to watch is Mitchell Kale, who shared second at the Mount Open and climbed to eighth on the Order of Merit.
Kale also knows Tauranga Golf Club better than most, having worked as part of the club’s greenstaff, giving him detailed knowledge of the course and how its conditions can change.
Despite his extraordinary recent record at Tauranga, Geary is treating this week as a fresh start.
“In terms of defending, you haven’t got an advantage over anyone. You haven’t got a head start, so it’s essentially a brand-new tournament,” he said.
“It’s the little small steps along the way which can make it happen.”
The Carrus Tauranga Open tees off on Thursday, with Geary once again the man the field will be trying to stop.
