Golf: Decision looms in Tiger hunt

Negotiations to bring world No 1 golfer Tiger Woods to Wellington are reaching a climax.

It is understood that PlusFore, a group of entrepreneurs trying to bring Woods to New Zealand, have raised the money for his appearance fee. Woods' asking price is thought to be $4.6 million, but PlusFore directors have declined to comment. It is likely contractual agreements between PlusFore and Woods' management team are still to be finalised.

PlusFore must satisfy these before closing the deal. But it is understood they are close and an announcement on the deal is expected soon.

The Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, the proposed venue for Woods to play at a resurrected New Zealand PGA in January next year, was holding its annual meeting last night.

Club manager Wynne Ingram said details on the Woods deal were not on the agenda but club members would no doubt "ask questions."

"We'll be telling them we understand things are coming to a finale for the promoters," he said. "If questions come up that's what we'll be saying and look out [for an announcement] next week some time."

Plusfore director Alan James said he and Woods' New Zealand caddy, Aucklander Steve Williams, would be available for comment on Monday.

Australian golf promoter Bob Tuohy said speculation regarding Woods playing in New Zealand had reached Australia.

"The oil over here is Steve Williams has [got] Tiger to play for mate's rates in New Zealand," he said.

Tuohy said negotiations were in progress to lure Woods to the Greg Norman Classic, The Heineken Open and the Australian Open in November. He did not expect the deals would clash with the New Zealand PGA.

Tuohy said the three-tournament deal in Australia would cost $A7 million ($8.84 million). He was unsure what other stipulations Woods' management group would have asked of PlusFore, other than evidence of financial security.

- NZPA