Golf: Painful decision ahead for Nobilo

Frank Nobilo is considering retiring from golf.

The Florida-based New Zealand professional, who has been a fixture on the United States PGA tour since the mid-1990s, has suffered a career-threatening back injury.

Nobilo has two compressed discs in his lower back and is using traction to treat the problem. A small gap between his discs has reopened but he has been unable to swing a golf club for two months and is unsure whether his back will withstand the rigours of another year in the sport.

"I have been strapped into a bed which is designed to stretch my back, and a gap of 3mm has opened up, which is the first bit of good news I have had health-wise for months," he said.

"I am at a crossroads and it's still early days, but I am starting to weigh my options about a career after golf."

Nobilo said x-rays revealed the full extent of his injury about three months ago, although he has nursed it most of this season.

"It was a bit of a blow to find out I was so seriously injured. I have been to several doctors and been studying all kinds of treatment options looking for answers. The last resort is surgery but I would rather hang up my clubs than do that and look at golf course design or commentating."

Nobilo said the New Zealand Open in January was looming as "decision day" on his long-term future.

He plans to enter the tournament at Middlemore if fit.

"It will be the first tournament I attempt to play for about four months. My rehab should be over by then so it will be a real test of whether I can still play."

Nobilo was diagnosed with arthritis in 1997.

The cause of his back problems is still a mystery. He said doctors first thought it was a degenerative problem but now believe it is trauma-related.

"I was getting shooting pains down both my legs when playing and had to end the season early, when it was finally properly diagnosed."

He finished 135th on the US PGA order of merit this season, losing his tour card.

The top 125 players retain their cards and he was unable to play last week's qualifying school because of his injury.

Nobilo said he finished high enough to gain several tournament starts next year.

"I just want to give myself and my body the best chance at getting better now because I believe I still have some good years ahead."

Nobilo blazed a trail for New Zealand golfers in the 1990s.

His career includes 13 international tournament wins and two top-10 results at majors. He finished tied for fourth at the 1996 US Masters and eighth equal at the 1996 US PGA Championship.

- NZPA