Golf: Top players may be lured to European event here

By BOB PEARCE

New Zealand Golf is expected to confirm this week that the New Zealand Open at Gulf Harbour will be a stop on the European tour.

This should mean a boost in prize money to around $1.5 million and the prospect of a field strengthened by a number of European players and the top Australians, who play on that tour.

Because the original January date would clash with the South African Open, already a European tour event, the Gulf Harbour tournament is expected to shift to mid-February.

This would also have the benefit of putting it within a couple of weeks of the New Zealand PGA at Christchurch, making it more economic for players to contest both events.

New Zealand Golf has been negotiating with the European tour to have the Holden New Zealand Open co-sanctioned by the Australasian and European tours, but it had to find additional sponsorship to clinch the deal.

Some European stars may still be missing because they command appearance fees, which New Zealand has been reluctant to pay.