Cairns golfer Frank Power is living a dream.

On Sunday the Cairns Golf Centre professional was preparing to enter what he calls a "lottery’’ – a qualifying tournament for the Australian Masters in which about 120 hopefuls vie for four spots.

But one phone call from tournament officials dramatically changed Power’s plans.

Power spent yesterday getting acquainted with the Kingston Heath course after gaining direct entry to a tournament being billed as the Tiger Woods show.

It’s a sweet reward for years of hard work for the 36-year-old, who played in the Australian Open in 2001 as an amateur.

"This will be the biggest tournament I’ve played in by far,’’ Power said last night.

"The Australian Open is great but having Tiger there and 24 players from the European tour have entered so it makes everything about it so much bigger.

"I haven’t played in the Masters before so it’s a big thrill playing that for sure and this golf course is magic.’’

Power’s only previous experience at Kingston Heath was during a social round more than 10 years ago. He made the most of yesterday’s practice round on the famed sandbelt course.

Power couldn’t help being awestruck by a course which is rated one of the best in the world.

"The bunkering, I’ve never seen anything like it,’’ he said.

"I don’t know how many there are but the design of the bunkers makes every hole look beautiful.

"It’s a pretty tough course and it’s going to play pretty hard because I think the temperatures are supposed to be in the 30s all week which will make the course play drier and faster so the greens are going to be lightning once Thursday and Friday comes around.’’

Competitors get a final practice session today with Power to keep one eye out for an appearance from Woods.

"I saw (Woods’) caddy floating around when I finished my round, he was walking around the clubhouse,’’ Power said.

"Whether (Woods) was there I don’t know, I didn’t see any commotion around so more than likely he’ll be there tomorrow at 6am or 5.30am.’’

Adjusting to the attention of the packed galleries will be a novelty Power is keen to embrace.

"The public was not allowed there today but they’re setting up grandstands and corporate boxes so it’s going to be a pretty different feeling playing with so many people around.’’

Power is aiming to make the cut so he can play the final two rounds.

"If I can make the cut I’ll be very, very happy and anything more than that is a big bonus.’’

Power described his recent form as "a little bit up and down’’. He missed the cut at the Queensland PGA Championship in Toowoomba last week but finished in the middle of the field in the WA Open and the WA PGA Championship last month.

"I’m just waiting for my game to click into gear.’’

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