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Woods’s fee queried in Australia
Tiger Woods’s decision to play in the Australian Masters in Melbourne in November sparked heated debate on Thursday about how much taxpayers should contribute to his appearance fee.
Tiger Woods’s decision to play in the Australian Masters in Melbourne in November sparked heated debate on Thursday about how much taxpayers should contribute to his appearance fee.
The golfing superstar will reportedly be paid three million Australian dollars (two million US) to turn up at the Kingston Heath course, with the Victoria state government chipping in half.
Victorian Premier John Brumby refused to confirm the figures but said the crowds flocking to see Woods’ first appearance in Australia for more than a decade would pump 19 million dollars into Melbourne’s economy.
“It secures for us an extraordinary drive in our tourism industry — it brings people to our state,” Brumby said.
He released a report from auditors Ernst & Young estimating 10,000-20,000 overseas and interstate visitors would travel to the southern city to see Woods. State opposition leader Ted Baillieu said taxpayers would be unhappy to see their money being used to lure Woods in tough times. “When people are losing jobs, it’s hard to believe that the Victorian public would think that this is a good idea,” Baillieu said.
The Professional Golfer’s Association of Australia’s director of tournaments Andrew Langford-Jones said Woods’ appearance would provide a huge boost for the sport and the fee was money well spent.
