Newz Forum: GOLF: Draper sets sights in Golf and Tennis

Scott Draper's dream of an extraordinary double by playing the Australian Opens in tennis and golf in 2005 is nearing reality.

Already automatically in the singles draw at Melbourne Park next month on a protected ranking, the former Davis Cup player is now in line for an invitation to tee up in golf's equivalent at Moonah Links later in the year. The Australian Golf Union, which runs the Australian Open in late November, has given tacit approval for Draper to join the world's best and will monitor his 2005 results.

"We would like to have him in, it would be a great double," AGU executive director Colin Phillips told the Melbourne Herald Sun.

"We would definitely have a look at it and see how he performs throughout the year. If his form is OK, we would have a good look at it."

Draper flew home to the Gold Coast to try to sort out next year's crammed sports schedule after earning his playing ticket at the Australasian PGA tour's 72 holes qualifying school at Frankston in bayside Melbourne. A left-handed tennis player and right-handed golfer, he shot one-over 73 in the final round to add to his three previous par rounds at Peninsula's north course.

He finished 12th in the 80-player field, a comfortable eight-shot buffer among the 37 competitors looking to get their 2005 cards.

"I'm sort of blown away at the moment to think I'm a professional golfer," said Draper.

"It's a bit weird. I know I have to spend plenty of time on the practice range.

"I need to improve my short game. It's an area I noticed this week is not up to par, but I'm proud of what I've done."

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