Tiger Woods has defended his $US3 million ($A4.32 million) partly taxpayer-funded appearance fee to play November’s Australian Masters and says Melbourne’s sandbelt is his “favourite place to play”.
“I know there’s some controversy behind it but I’m really looking forward to getting down there and playing and competing,” Woods said in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday.
“Most of the guys get appearance fees to play around the world.
“This (the US PGA Tour) is the only place that doesn’t have appearance fees.”
The world No.1 golfer made it clear a big attraction for him in playing the Australian Masters at world-rated Kingston Heath was the chance to play another of Melbourne’s famed sandbelt courses, having played the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.
“I’ve always wanted to get down there and play more in the Aussie sandbelt, because that is my favourite area to play,” said Woods as he prepared for this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Woods did not directly address the issue of whether Victorian tax-payers should foot a reported half the bill for his visit.
His attitude seems to be that he has a standard non-US appearance fee – which he can readily get – and if someone wants to pay him to play a course he has heard great things about then that’s their business.
Victorian opposition leader Ted Baillieu has been among those to question the expense in tough economic times.
The appearance fee far outweighs the tournament’s first prize last year of $A270,000.
The Victorian government has cited a study by auditing group Ernst & Young on the economic impact of Woods’ presence at the Australian Masters which suggested a $19 million benefit to the state.
Event organiser IMG is believed to have signed two major sponsors to help fund the tournament.
And Victorian Premier John Brumby believes that with Woods on the card – along with world No.4 Australian Geoff Ogilvy – up to 100,000 people will flock to Kingston Heath to watch the golf, including 10,000 to 20,000 visitors from interstate and overseas.
He has pointed to South Australia’s experience in bringing Lance Armstrong to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under in January when the SA Government estimated an economic benefit of $39 million with a flood of visitors from interstate and huge crowds lining the route each day.
Woods also revealed on Wednesday he would play the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai – co-sanctioned by the Australasian tour – the week before the Australian Masters.
He last played in China three years ago.
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