World champion speed golfer Rob Hogan touches down in New Zealand today to take part in New Zealand's Speed Golf Open in Rotorua.

Irish golfer Rob Hogan. Photo: Supplied.

The Irishman will land at Auckland Airport from Melbourne later today for New Zealand's second Speed Golf Open on Rotorua Golf Club's Arikikapakapa course happening this weekend.

Twenty seven golfers from around New Zealand, including two overseas entries, will tee up at 12.30pm today for qualifying. Entries are still being taken.

Rob won the world title in October last year in Illinois, shooting 78 in only 40 minutes in the final round.

He will compete against New Zealand's best speed golfers including defending title holder Landyn Edwards.

Landyn, who used his hometown knowledge of the course to shoot under par in less than an hour last year, is expected to provide the biggest challenge for Rob during the two-day event on January 23-24.

Speed golf, also known as extreme golf, started in the United States in the 1970s when American middle distance runner Steve Scott shot a 95 in just under 30 minutes.

Scores in speed golf are calculated by adding the number of strokes to the amount of time (in minutes) it takes a player to complete the course.

Players can enter the event on the New Zealand Golf website www.golf.co.nz under tournaments.

There are three new categories for this year's event: under-20, masters and legends. In addition there is a corporate social event where golfers can play as a pair in a threesome and one-day-only options.