INQUIRER Sports

SYDNEY - Golf fans keen to see Tiger Woods at November's Australian Masters have been flocking to buy day passes for the Friday second round of the tournament, organizers said.

The world number one, who is bidding for his 15th major title at next week's British Open at Turnberry, Scotland, has attracted extraordinary interest in his first appearance in Australia in more than a decade.

Attendance will be capped at 20,000 a day when Woods plays in the November 12-15 tournament at the Kingston Heath course in Melbourne.

IMG Australia golf director David Rollo said less than 10 percent of passes for the Sunday final round remained to be sold.

Premium grandstand seating on the 18th hole had sold out for every day of the Masters, organizers said.

Having agreed to stump up a reported half of Woods' three million US dollar appearance fee on behalf of Victoria taxpayers, state Premier John Brumby has welcomed news of the ticket sales.

"Thousands of tickets have been sold to interstate and overseas tourists who will come to Melbourne helping to boost tourism and securing jobs for Victorians," Brumby said.