By JULIE ASH
The cost of catching a glimpse of the Tiger in action at the New Zealand Golf Open will be revealed next month.
Open 2002 managing director David Pool said the cost of tickets and packages would be announced in the first week of September.
A week-long ticket to the Open to be played in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, in January, is expected to cost around $500 as opposed to the $50 for four days charged at last year's Open.
The price hike has upset several leading New Zealand golfers, including Michael Campbell and Greg Turner, who both threatened to boycott the Open despite the presence of world No 1 Tiger Woods.
Campbell has since agreed to play after organisers decided to allow junior club members in for free, but Turner has remained adamant he will not play unless entry prices are affordable to regular fans.
Pool said talks with several New Zealand players were continuing.
"We are looking very hard at the issue. You have to take into account people's views," he said.
Pool said the fact that many people had said they would be happy to pay the suggested prices to see Woods would also be taken into consideration.
Hyundai Automotive has been named as another naming rights sponsor for the Open, joining TelstraSaturn. The value of the sponsorship arrangement was not given.
The Kiwi golfer is chasing the LPGA Tour season title and a huge payday.