By BOB PEARCE
What price Tiger Woods playing in a New Zealand golf tournament? - $US2 million and rising.
Speculation that the golfing superstar would play here next year has followed comments by his caddy, Kiwi Steve Williams, that he has discussed the prospect with Woods and the American was keen to
come.
But first someone will have to come up with the kind of money needed to turn the wish into fulfilment.
Paul Gleeson, New Zealand representative of the International Management group, which represents Woods, said there were regular approaches from people wanting to bring Woods to this country, but so far none had been pursued, and he knew of no firm proposals.
"The price is around $US2 million and it seems to go up with every tournament he wins," Gleeson said yesterday. "The days when we brought out golf stars with the lure of a holiday package and some fishing have long gone.
"That used to mean a couple of weeks, and their schedules are too tight for that now. They would prefer to pay their own way down for a holiday and forget about golf."
Phillip Aickin, chief executive of New Zealand Golf, said a tournament involving Woods would be a boost for golf but he had no timeframe on a visit. But the rumours persist at the New Zealand Open, with talk of a group trying to raise the money.
Williams said he was confident Woods would come to New Zealand, but he had no time frame on a visit.
"He's an international player and each year he likes to travel somewhere different," Williams said. "Last year he went to South America for the first time. This year he's going to go to Dubai. The following year he will have the opportunity to play somewhere else."
Woods is familiar with the prospects for one of his passions, fly fishing, in this country.
