2026 NZ Open | RD2 B9 | Hokom, Mertsch, Smiley, Donnecke
The 2026 NZ Open Round 2 Back Nine Highlights showcase the thrilling conclusion of round two at the New Zealand Open, presented by RPM Discs. Sarah Hokom and Jennifer Smiley bring you live coverage from Auckland's scenic orchard, where the top players are battling for a spot in the final round. The dynamic duo provides expert analysis as they navigate the challenging 10th hole, Bar 5, featuring an eagleable green with strong winds that demand precise shot-making. As the players put their skills to the test, Hokom and Smiley discuss technique and strategy, offering insights into Cat's decision to use her Halo Destroyer with a hiser and Sophia's approach with a similarly angled disc. With the competition fierce, the trio expertly guides viewers through the back nine, highlighting key moments and providing expert commentary on the thrilling course of play in this highly anticipated event.
Watch thrilling moments from Round 2 of the 2026 NZ Open! Top players like Martin Mertsch & Simon Lizotte in action on a challenging course.
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Welcome back everyone to round two, the back nine of the 2026 New Zealand Open brought to you by RPM Discs. This is part of the goth through coverage [music] of the tour down under brought to you by MV MVP disc sports. I'm Sarah Hokum here with Jennifer Smiley. Hello guys. We are out at the orchard in [music] Auckland, New Zealand. And what a beautiful property this is. There's plums [music] everywhere. Got some apples and pears. Although the pears are not in season [music] yet. Um, but a lot of elevation out here. A lot of wind and some sprinkles from the rain every once in a while. It'll be an interesting back nine for us. >> The front nine brought a little bit of drama. Uh, got my over par. We got Paige coming up with a She's even, but is making a move here. >> Uh, at minus six after the run. I mean, that's that's all of them. She got them all >> pretty much. That very incredible. >> We're going to start out with hole 10 is a bar five. 707 ft. The first shot's a distance shot out to the open. Second shot, you're kind of trying to get closer to this green. Third shot approaching [music] the green. There's Obie on the right side. The wind is crazy on this side of the course. And this one's actually eagleable. >> It is. Yeah. But the wind makes that very difficult to do. >> Cat throwing the Halo destroyer, which she kind of turned over yesterday. Today she keeps that angle a little pure. Maybe the wind helps her a little more. I'm not sure, but she's in great position out there. >> That's a beautiful spot to land in. should have a pretty open approach towards them. I am going with my fision defy, my more stable one, and just putting it out on a hiser. And it pretty much just holds straight the whole way. >> Yeah. No fade, but that's a good spot. >> Yeah. Sophia going with a Halo Destroyer. Keeps it on a hiser. And it pushes straight for a long time. >> Does, but just barely gets around the bush. You can see the relief on her face. >> Yeah, just a one foot farther and she would be pinched on that second shot. >> Yes,...
