Golf: Turner joins Open no-shows

Two-time champion Greg Turner yesterday became the fourth notable absentee from next month's New Zealand Open in Auckland.

Turner joins reigning champion Craig Parry, of Australia, and United States-based New Zealanders Craig Perks and Steve Alker as the list of high-profile no-shows for the $700,000 tournament continues to mount.

Turner told officials he would be fishing when the national championship was staged at Middlemore from January 16 to 19. He did not respond to calls seeking comment.

A long-time supporter of the New Zealand Open, with wins in the event in 1989 and 1997, Turner was a highly vocal critic of the preferential treatment given to world No 1 Woods at the tournament in January.

Woods was enticed to Paraparaumu Beach by a $5 million appearance fee, which was passed on to the public through huge increases in ticket prices, peaking at $450 for week-long passes.