Woods is currently playing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods has defended his US$3m (£2.1m) fee for playing in November's Australian Masters tournament.

Taxpayers in the Victoria state will reportedly provide half the amount via government support for the event.

"Most of the guys get appearance fees to play around the world. The US PGA Tour is the only place that doesn't," said the world number one.

"I know there's some controversy behind it but I'm really looking forward to getting down there and playing."

Victoria was badly hit by the recent bush fires in Australia and with the Australian economy suffering amid the global economic downturn, Woods' enormous fee has attracted criticism down under.

But Woods says that it is not just the financial rewards on offer that have attracted him back to the country for the first time since 1998.

"I haven't played in Australia since the President's Cup. I've always wanted to get down there and play more in the Aussie sandbelt because that is my favourite area to play. I've always enjoyed it," he said.

606: DEBATE It beggars belief that anyone is paying over £2 million to entice anyone just to play in an event bazcrane

State premier John Brumby has estimated that Woods' appearance will generate $19m (£9m) for the economy, but critics have suggested any extra revenue may come at the cost of sponsors' investment into the Australian Open.

With the two tournaments separated by around a month, it is feared that Woods appearance at the Masters will badly overshadow the national Open.

But Stuart Appleby, who won the Australian Open in 2001, has given his support to Woods' attendance.

"It will be great for the game and bring out a lot of people who haven't seen him before, in person, not on a video game," he said.

"The common man won't understand the business model because the government is paying for it. They might not see the money he brings in."

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