Tiger Woods Arrives in Australia Ahead of 2009 Australian Masters Golf Tournament

Tiger Woods flies in to Melbourne, Australia today

International golfing sensation Tiger Woods arrives in Melbourne, Australia today ahead of the $1.5 million Australian Masters Tournament (part of the 2009 Australasian PGA Tour) starting at Kingston Heath on Thursday, 12 November. Woods will, no doubt, be aiming to do better than he did in the HSBC Champions tournament yesterday at the Sheshan course in Shanghai. He was well behind winner Phil Mikelson who beat South African Ernie Els by 1 stroke.

Last night on Australia's 60 Minutes current affairs program, interviewer Tara Brown conducted an intimate interview with Tiger, who, at 33 is the world's wealthiest sports star. Considering Tiger Woods gives very few interviews, the chat came across as very sincere as he recounted things about his early childhood and his adult life as a husband and father.

Woods has won 92 professional golf tournaments including 14 majors. Only golfing legend Jack Nicklaus has won more with 18 majors to his credit.

Tiger indicated he is not motivated money, but that winning is what he craves. He also said winning has never been easy. He turned professional in 1996 aged 20 and went into his professional golfing career with US$60 million in sponsorship lined up before he hit one ball. He referred to himself as an "accidental celebrity" and that he makes no apologies for not being gregarious. He further stated his father, Earl Woods, was his mentor and role model.

One of Tiger's golfing advantages is his ability to sink the longest and most important putts in a tournament. But on a bad day, he has been beaten by Australian Peter O'Malley.

Kingston Heath Course re-vamp

Kingston Heath Golf Course, often rated in the top 30 courses in the world, has undergone substantial improvements including a new clubhouse. The course is now 100 metres (109.361 yards) longer with re-organization of hole sequence. Read all the details of variations here.

Concerns about tournament logistics, cameras and phones

The last time Tiger Woods played in Australia was in 1998 in the President's Cup at Kingston Heath and he's come a long way since then. Marcus Gale, IMG's tournament director has expressed concern about crowd behavior and security. Cameras and mobile telephones will be banned from the course, but Gale indicated that policing of such rules, which apply at many tournaments around the world, will be difficult.

Crowd behavior, primarily the sound of clicking cameras, at the $US7 million ($A7.68 million) HSBC Champions tournament yesterday at the Sheshan course in Shanghai caused Tiger Woods to flinch on his opening tee shot in the first round. It took organizers almost half the round to get the spectators under full control.

Australian Masters organizers hope that there won't be a repeat of this type of distraction, but are confident that Australian golf spectators are well educated about course behavior.

Modest requirements at Crowne Plaza hotel

Tiger Woods will be staying in the penthouse suite at the Crowne Plaza Hotel The suite is palatial in sharp contrast to Woods' modest requirements for cranberry juice and Paul Newman's balsamic vinegar as his only additional requirements.

Tiger to visit Black Saturday fire victims at Marysville

On Tuesday, 10 November Australian Daylight Saving Time, Tiger will participate in a golf clinic at fire-ravaged Marysville. It is just one of the towns almost totally destroyed by firestorms on Black Saturday, 7 February 2009. He will also have his first look at the tournament course and attend a AU$600 a head gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza.

Ticket sellout

There is no doubt that Tiger Woods will be warmly welcomed in Australia. The 2009 Australian Masters will benefit greatly from his presence and fans will be able to watch Tiger in action 12-15 November 2009 at Kingston Heath. The tournament is tipped to be a sellout.

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Sources:
Nine Network (Australia) 60 Minutes Current Affairs program
http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/golf/cameras-mobile-phones-banned-as-crowd-behaviour-worries-organisers/2009/11/08/1257614958743.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/golf/woods-a-bit-snappy-over-camerahappy-fans/2009/11/05/1257247703652.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/golf/tiger-on-the-way-as-teetime-nears/2009/11/08/1257614960281.html