GOLF: TIGER WOODS is widely regarded as the best player of his generation by his peers but the esteem in which he is held comes at a major price, according to a PGA Tour survey by Golfmagazine.

In a poll by the magazine of more than 70 golfers who compete on the US circuit, 14 per cent singled out the world number one as the player they would most like to miss a three-foot putt to win a major title.

Fellow American Kevin Na was next in line at nine per cent with Spaniard Sergio Garcia third at eight per cent.

Thirty-one per cent of the players voted for no one to suffer that indignity, with one saying: “Nobody. That’s just bad karma”.

Woods, a winner of 14 major titles, drew 52 per cent of the vote as the game’s best current player, with second-ranked Phil Mickelson attracting 26 per cent and South African Ernie Els, a former world number one, third at six per cent.

When it came to the best swing on tour, American Anthony Kim was most popular at 15 per cent with Woods and Australian veteran Steve Elkington jointly next best at eight per cent.

Former US Masters champion Fred Couples, an easy-going American with a languid swing, was voted the most popular playing partner, while compatriot Chris Riley topped the charts if the round had to be finished as quickly as possible.

Americans Pat Perez and Woody Austin were voted the tour’s number one “hot heads” at 20 per cent, with Woods in third at six per cent.

England’s Ian Poulter was rated the best dressed player on the circuit, while double major winner John Daly, known for his garish outfits in recent years, was regarded as the worst follower of fashion.

The PGA Tour players were polled during the New Orleans Classic in April with the results to be published in Golf'sOctober issue.