Former world number one Greg Norman believes Tiger Woods is worth the $US3 million he will be paid to play in the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath in Melbourne in November.

Norman said when it came to appearance fees it was impossible to know what Woods, the world’s best golfer, was worth.

“I can tell you every successful person whether it’s a film star or an artist or an entertainer, your value is commensurate to your deliverables,” Norman said.

“Tiger stimulates corporate dollars, he stimulates interest in the game and deserves it (money).

“If Tiger Woods gets paid $10 million to come down here and play and elevates the game where a parent can take their child to watch and say to the child ‘you saw Tiger Woods’.

“And even if Tiger never comes back to Australia this kid’s going to have memories for a lifetime.

“You are never going to recoup that money through the gate, but you are going to recoup that money in the long term through the interest in the game of golf.”

During Norman’s long reign as world number one, he was criticised by some PGA Tour players for accepting appearance money.<P>

But the Shark did have the support of a number of players including Raymond Floyd.

“Raymond Floyd once made a comment about me when I received what everyone said was ridiculous amounts of money to play in an event,” Norman revealed in Brisbane recently.

“At that time Raymond Floyd said ‘let him get it because it means I’m making more money’.

“Tiger’s doing the same thing.”

Norman said the PGA Tour players should be thankful and appreciate what Woods was doing for the game.<P>

“These young kids are playing for $1 million first prize every week,” Norman added.
“They wouldn’t be playing for $1 million if it wasn’t for Tiger Woods or any other dominant player that can lift and carry the process all the way through.

“Everyone should be thankful and appreciative for the efforts he’s done and the way he’s done it.
“Tiger deserves every penny he gets.

“I hope the media doesn’t pick up on it and doesn’t try and say paying him this money is ridiculous.
“He warrants it – he deserves it.”

Victorian premier John Brumby told a Melbourne newspaper Woods’ visit would generate $19m in economic benefits.