Woods admits appearance money is a lure Published on Wednesday 25 January 2012 00:50 Tiger Woods does not deny that appearance money is one of the factors in determining where he plays. Woods could have been at Torrey Pines this week on a course where he has won six times, including his last major title. Instead, he is in Abu Dhabi for his first event of the year and is widely reported to be receiving well over £1million for it. Woods might have tried to justify his trip because of the competition he faces. Europe's world top four - Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer - are all kicking off their seasons as well. But, after saying sponsors HSBC had been supporters of his Foundation over the years, he was asked yesterday if appearance fees ever influenced his movements. The former world No 1, who, on his last start last month, ended more than two years without a win, said: "I'd have to say yes, it certainly does. A lot of the guys play all around the world and they do get appearance fees. I think the only tour that doesn't pay is the US Tour. Where we offset it is our prize money is pretty high. We certainly play for more money than any other tour in the world - I think the average winner gets a million bucks (dollars) a week. First prize at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is under £300,000 and the total purse is £1.7million. Woods is paired in the opening two rounds tomorrow and Friday with Donald and McIlroy. That would be fascinating wherever and whenever they faced each other, but it comes only a month after top-ranked Donald sparked a debate when he said the 22-year-old Northern Irishman had the most talent of anybody he had ever played with. Woods, of course, is the one with 14 majors. McIlroy, the younger by 14 years, grabbed his first at the US Open last June. Woods was asked about that as well, but did not rise to the bait. "I think the most talented player that I've ever seen in person was Seve (Ballesteros)," he said. I've never seen a person do the things with the golf ball that he was able to do and the creativity that he was able to produce. I never saw (Ben) Hogan hit a golf ball, never saw Mr (Byron) Nelson hit a golf ball, I never saw Jack (Nicklaus) in his prime. But I did see Seve when I first came out here and I was able to play with him a few times. It was impressive.