MELBOURNE - TIGER Woods will play at the Australian Masters in November, his first tournament appearance Down Under since 1998.

A government spokesman confirmed premier John Brumby's comments in a Melbourne newspaper that Woods would play in the event at Kingston Heath, scheduled for Nov. 12-15.

A news conference was planned in Melbourne later on Thursday.

'We are delighted Tiger Woods has chosen to come to Melbourne, further cementing our position as the major events capital of the world,' Mr Brumby told the Herald Sun newspaper. Melbourne hosts the Australian Open, the first of four majors each year on the international tennis circuit, and the season-opening Formula One Grand Prix.

Mr Brumby predicted the visit by the world's top golfer would earn Victoria state A$19 million in economic benefits, which would offset Woods' $A4.54 million appearance fee.

Woods has recently returned from an eight-month layoff. He had season-ending knee surgery after winning the US Open last year, his 14th career major.

It will be Woods' fourth tournament appearance Down Under and first since the 1998 Presidents Cup, when the US lost to the International team at Royal Melbourne. Woods was 1-1 in foursomes play, 0-2 in fourball and beat Greg Norman in singles as the Americans were beaten 20 1/2 to 12 1/2.

His first visit was at the 1996 Australian Open at The Australian course in Sydney, where Woods finished tied for fifth, 12 strokes behind winner Norman.

He played in the 1997 Australian Masters at Hungtingdale in Melbourne, where he finished tied for eighth in the event, seven shots behind winner Peter Lonard of Australia.

Woods also played in the 2002 New Zealand Open at the Paraparaumu Beach course north of Wellington, where he finished tied for sixth, six strokes behind winner Craig Parry. -- AP