Golf: NZ golfers want shot at $1m

By Graham Skellern

New Zealand's two President's Cup golfers, Greg Turner and Frank Nobilo, are taking different journeys in an attempt to qualify for February's first world championship event, worth a cool $US5 million ($9.2 million).

Turner, currently ranked 70th in the world, and Nobilo, 64th, have to be in the top 64 by mid-February to have a crack at the Andersen Consulting Matchplay on the Californian La Costa Resort course from February 24 to 28. A cheque for $US1 million awaits the winner.

Turner is playing just one tournament beforehand, the European Tour's Heineken Classic, at the Vines Resort in Perth from January 28 to 31.

He figures he needs a top-seven finish, at worst, to make the top 64 cut-off for the matchplay - one of three $US5 million World Golf Championship events this year.

"Everyone would like to be in a 64-man field playing for $5 million. If I can have a strong finish [in Perth] then I've still got a chance. The Vines is a course I like and I've shot some low scores there as well as having a second."

He will have only two days of golf beforehand - a charity tournament at Millbrook in Queenstown this weekend.

"You could end up chasing your own tail," he said. "If I played a lot at this time of year it could cost me later, particularly in September/October, when I've played well over the last two seasons.

"One of the reasons I've done well late in the year is because I haven't played as much as others, and you can't play well all year long."

Nobilo, back home in Auckland this week visiting his physiotherapist, has set himself a heavier programme - four events on the United States PGA Tour before the matchplay.

A stronger and healthier Nobilo - "it's the best I've felt in five years" - tees off in the Phoenix Open from January 28 to 31, the AT and T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, playing with tennis pro Jim Courier, from February 4 to 7, the Buick Invitational the following week and then the Nissan Open.

Over that month Nobilo, who was ranked 20th this time last year, is aiming to lift his ranking into the top 50, which would also give him a start in the US Masters - one major he has played in for the last five years.

"Getting in to the matchplay and the Masters will be a double-banger. Once I start playing well then I don't have a problem," said Nobilo, who leaves for his home in Orland, Florida, today.

"Making the Masters is my priority and then the rest of the year will take care of itself. I played like a lame duck all last year but I'm feeling in good shape right now."

Turner and Nobilo are assured of playing the second $US5 million tournament, the NEC Invitational, which is limited to a 38-strong field of the current European Ryder Cup and President's Cup International teams and the Americans who played in both events.

The NEC will be played at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, from August 26 to 29 - Turner is also hoping to contest the USPGA Championship at Medinah Country Club two weeks before by being in the world's top 70.

Then, as an end-of-year bonus, Turner and Nobilo can eye the third $US5 million tournament - the World Golf Championship strokeplay at Valderrama, in Spain, from November 4 to 7 for the world's top 50.