Greg Turner today called off his planned boycott of the New Zealand Open, an event which is to feature world number one Tiger Woods next January.
New Zealander Turner threatened in July to boycott his home event, part of the Australasian PGA Tour, over high admission prices being charged to cover a US$2 million appearance fee for Woods.
Golf fans are to be charged NZ$450 ($191) for a season ticket to the NZ Open at the Paraparaumu Beach course, just north of Wellington.
This is twice the previous highest season ticket price for a New Zealand tournament - NZ$220 for the 1998 World Cup of Golf at Gulf Harbour near Auckland - and nine times the previous New Zealand Open season ticket price.
Turner, who plays much of his golf in Europe and is ranked 51st on that tour, wanted ticket prices reduced. But this was not possible and he said he had agreed to a compromise that would add two new low-cost events to the NZ Open schedule.
"I've wrestled with my conscience over this for a couple of months now," world number 153 Turner said in a joint statement with tournament organisers.
"My sole objection has been that the average New Zealander would not be able to afford to go."
The two extra events, on the two practice days leading into the NZ Open, will feature two New Zealanders and two Australians fighting out an 18-hole "test" followed by a four-hole Champion of Champions contest involving past winners of the tournament.
Entry to the first practice day will be free and around 2,000 free tickets will be given out for the second practice day, organisers added.
Turner's fellow New Zealander Michael Campbell, ranked 25th in the world, also threatened to boycott the event but agreed to play when organisers offered 1,000 free tickets to junior golfers.