European Tour: Tiger Woods is unmatched as a player in the modern era, but when it comes to assessing what built the most powerful brand in the sporting world it would be a mistake to overlook his verbal dexterity.

No issue is too complex for him to judiciously skirt around, no controversy too minor for him to avoid in the effort to keep corporate America happy. But every once in a while the world's number one player is tempted out of his cocoon of blandness, and yesterday was one such occasion.

From next year, all of the World Championships - four tournaments featuring the world's leading players - will be held in the US at the behest of the US PGA Tour.

The retreat to the American heartland in pursuit of sponsorship dollars is a miserable, if predictable, outcome for a series which was established with the aim of promoting the game around the world. Indeed, two WGC events have been staged at Mount Juliet.

The decision is also one that has met with disapproval from the European Tour, and now Woods.

"Golf is a global sport now," he said. "Look at the world rankings - there are players from all over the world, and that's indicative of how our game has changed. We have a responsibility to play round the world and to grow the game as much as we can."

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, has promised to fight the decision, although given the PGA's selfish insularity he is unlikely to have much luck.

Woods's voice might carry more influence, however, not least because he has a record of practising what he preaches when it comes to promoting golf around the world. In the past few months he has played in China, where he finished second in the Champions Tournament, and in Japan, where he won the Phoenix Open.

This is his third visit in the past four years to the Emirates course for the Dubai Desert Classic, in which his best finish is second place. He tees off just after noon today alongside Darren Clarke and Henrik Stenson.

In his one event on the US Tour this year, last week's Buick Invitational in San Diego, Woods beat Jose Maria Olazabal on the second play-off hole. By his own exalted standards it was not one of Woods's more complete performances - he hit only one fairway in the first round - but it seems these days even when he does not play well he plays well enough to beat his rivals.

Along with Clarke, there are four other Irish players in the field, including Holywood teenager Rory McIlroy, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy and Peter Lawrie. Guardian Service

Dubai Desert Classic On Television: Sky Sports 1, 6.30am