Golf: Nobilo fighting fit for NZ Open

By DAVID LEGGAT

One of Frank Nobilo's favourite golfing memories dates from an event at the Middlemore course almost 30 years ago, so it's appropriate that he will make his first New Zealand Open appearance since 1997 there in January.

The 42-year-old New Zealand professional was one of four big home-grown names announced yesterday for the Open - for which Holden have secured the naming rights - from January 16-19.

The others are world No 17 Michael Campbell, Phil Tataurangi - performing strongly at No 77 on the US PGA Tour this year - and four-time Open winner Sir Bob Charles.

The Middlemore course has special significance for the Auckland-born-and-bred Nobilo.

"It was the first course I ever broke par on. I was 13 and shot 70 - 16 pars and two birdies. I still remember that.

"My first Open was at Middlemore [1977], when I finished as second amateur, so it's always prominent in my mind and this is one Open I certainly didn't want to miss.

"Certain things stand out about it. I never liked the 10th, a short par four. I don't know why. But there's a lot of good holes."

Nobilo, 22 years a professional, Grant Waite, Craig Perks, Tataurangi and Michael Long form a significant New Zealand presence on the US PGA Tour.

Nobilo, who sits delicately placed at 128 on the Order of Merit, has been a workaholic this year, rattling through 28 tournaments, in a bid to build his fitness.

A patch marred by injury problems took some of the shine off a strong international performer, whose CV includes back-to-back World Open triumphs in 1995 and 1996 and victory in the Greater Greensboro Open in 1997.

His best result this year has been a share of 10th at the WorldCom Classic at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in April, followed by ties for 12th and 17th at the Air Canada and Houston Opens respectively.

Nobilo reckons he has three events left this year, starting with the Invensys Classic in Las Vegas starting tomorrow, to squeeze inside the 125, which guarantees a Tour spot next year.

Far from feeling stale, Nobilo insisted his enthusiasm was rekindled and he was making a strong effort to get his game back in shape.

Although he has not been back for the Open since 1997 for a variety of reasons, often health-related, Nobilo has a soft spot for it, as do the other American-based New Zealanders. Nobilo knew "the guys appreciate the need to play at home".

Other names in the field will be released in the next few weeks.

The prizemoney is a minimum $700,000 - a healthy $200,000 up on last year.