"But if IMG wants Woods for a third straight year it appears the company will have to pay the bill itself, which is possible since he is its biggest client."

Martin Blake reports that Premier-elect Ted Baillieu says the government will not fund another Tiger Woods visit to the Australian Masters.

But IMG, the Masters owner and promoter, is desperate to have Woods playing in its tournament, ideally the week before the Presidents Cup, which will bring many of the world's best players to Melbourne.

But if IMG wants Woods for a third straight year it appears the company will have to pay the bill itself, which is possible since he is its biggest client.

Now how does that work?

Comments

[Press Agent]

So for the first 2 years, IMG got the Aussie Government to pay the money that got Tiger to attend the tournament that IMG wanted Tiger to attend to badly.... As I've said so many times before, it's obvious that IMG wanted Tiger at a tournament they owned and produced, but to get someone else to pay for him to show up is a laughable scam. What a scam indeed. And don't you think Tiger would be so thankful for all they've done for him that he would gladly show up at an IMG tournament for no appearance fee?? I guess Tiger ain't such a good friend after all eh? (Sarcasm) Like anyone ever thought he would be a good friend to anybody...

[Steven T.]

Didn't half of that 3M appearance fee go to an Australian tax?

[Del the Funk]

I've never seen or head of an arrangement like this with a direct link to a single player. But we all know that subsidization of events/teams/stadiums by municipalities happens all the time.

Press Agent, I found this isimple definition "scam" -- "to deprive of by deceit". Sure seems like the Bumbry government went into this deal with their eyes wide open and were even pleased with the outcome in '09, and publicly stated as much. Also, the arrangement has not been the least bit it a secret.

As for Tiger showing up for free, that's just not how it works. Over the years IMG has been paid serious coin by Tiger and if anything IMG is overpaid. So if either party "owes one" to the other, IMG owes Tiger. There ain't an established player alive that's going to fly all the way to Australia to do IMG "a favor". However, there are many players that will fly from Dubai to SoCal to do Tiger a favor!!

[rob]

However, there are many players that will fly from Dubai to SoCal to do Tiger a favor!!

Tigers days of calling in the chits are long gone.

Fly on the wall at the O'Meara house-
"Honey, Tiger just called and he wants me to fly up to Fresno this weekend to help him with his short game..."

Wife - No problem Mark, I'm having the guest bedroom painted your favorite color, Masters Green...,

[Del the Funk]

rob, how do you figure?

Out of a field of 18 he has 13 Ryder Cup players (and one more who should have been on team, P. Casey). The balance are Villegas (ineligible for RC), A. Kim (lock for RC had he not gotten hurt), Sean O'Hair and Nick Watney. Not a piker in the crowd.

Rory McIlroy making noises like he's not going to turn up for The Players Championship but he sure flew all the way from Dubai for this one!

There are no appearance fees paid at this event. Players are there for one reason -- Tiger asked them.

[bayhill bogey]

Del

when last place is 140K that is the "appearance fee". and world ranking points in an 18-man field is pretty attractive as well - just ask Gmac when he got in last minute last year

[digsouth]

Del, bayhill bogey is right.

appearance $$. free owgr

[Del the Funk]

You guys think $140k moves the needle for Rory McIlroy? Come on now fellas you know better than that. Hell, that won't cover the private jet tab for their (RM, IP, GM) trip over!! In all seriousness, back out travel costs, caddie fees, taxes, wear and tear, and $140k is whittled down to next to nothing, def. not enough to get RM and IP to jump. The event last year was a huge springboard for GM so he was in for this year no matter what.

bayhill, interesting point you make there on the OWGR points. So maybe there is something to this event (other than the "silly season"), I'm sure Graeme McDowell thinks so!