The cricketing greats were asked by the Otago Daily Times if they had considered pulling out of the tournament to attend the funeral.
Speaking before a round at The Hills golf course, as TV cameras rolled, Fleming responded ‘‘we're discussing that at the moment'', adding: ‘‘We've got a commitment down here which we're looking to honour''.
Fleming said Crowe was a ‘‘a great New Zealander and a wonderful cricket player'' and it was a ‘‘difficult time'' as they worked out how best to honour him.
‘‘Being in Queenstown, which is an area he loved, he loved playing golf, we hopefully can celebrate it that way.''
After the interview, Fleming told the Otago Daily Times it was ‘‘naughty'' to ask about Crowe and it was a topic that should not have been broached.
The fact cricketing greats are choosing the golf tournament's ANZ Celebrity Challenge over Crowe's funeral has sparked controversy and some sports columnists consider it a snub.
Five other cricketers are expected to miss the funeral because of the clash - former New Zealand players Simon Doull and Mark Richardson, ex-Australian captains Ricky Ponting and Allan Border, and England's Sir Ian Botham.
Crowe died last Thursday after a long battle with lymphoma and his funeral will be held in Auckland on Friday.
New Zealand Open organisers are coming up with a way in which Crowe can be honoured publicly, with the cricketers in attendance, during the tournament.
On playing in the open, McCullum said he was ‘‘gonna be nervous''.
‘‘Definitely more nervous than when I played cricket. Flem's explained to me that no matter what you've done in your cricket career, you'll never be as nervous as the first tee on the first day.''
McCullum said he was looking forward to ‘‘hopefully getting off that first tee. It'd be nice to get a little money off the Aussies, as well.''
