GOLF NEWS:TIGER WOODS does not deny appearance money is one of the factors in determining where he plays. He could have been at Torrey Pines, San Diego, this week on a course where he has won six times, including his last Major title. Instead he is in Abu Dhabi for his first event of the year and is widely reported to be receiving well over €1.2 million for it.

Woods might have tried to justify his trip because of the competition he faces. Europe’s world top four Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer are kicking off their seasons as well. But after saying sponsors HSBC had been supporters of his Foundation over the years he was asked yesterday if appearance fees ever influenced his movements.

The former world number one, who on his last start last month ended more than two years without a win, said: “I’d have to say yes, it certainly does. A lot of the guys play all around the world and they do get appearance fees. I think the only tour that doesn’t pay is the US Tour. Where we offset it is our prize money is pretty high. We certainly play for more money than any other tour in the world – I think the average winner gets a million bucks (dollars – €771,000) a week.”

First prize at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is under €360,227 and the total purse is €2.1 million. Woods is paired in the opening two rounds tomorrow and Friday with Donald and McIlroy. It comes only a month after top-ranked Donald sparked a debate when he said the 22-year-old Northern Irishman had the most talent of anybody he had ever played with.

Woods, of course, is the one with 14 Majors. McIlroy, the younger by 14 years, won his first at the US Open last June. After his comment Donald went on his Twitter site to say he would “never try to disrespect Tiger in any way. He is still the greatest player I have played with.”

Woods did not rise to the bait. “As far as being the most talented player, I think the most talented player I’ve ever seen in person was Seve (Ballesteros),” he said.

Woods’ is excited about the season, not just because he got back to winning ways, but also what came before in Australia. His win at the Chevron World Challenge followed a third place at the Australian Open and a singles win over Aaron Baddeley at the Presidents Cup. Asked if he saw the Chevron as a big step forward, he said: “I certainly did, but I think Australia was probably more. I played really well at the Open, carried on in the Presidents Cup and continued that trend in the World Challenge. Hopefully I can build on that and get ready for Augusta (US Masters, April 5th).”