Tiger Woods will return to Melbourne later this year to play in the Australian Masters.
The Herald Sun newspaper reports that Woods, the world's No 1 golfer, will defend his Australian Masters title at the Victoria Golf Club in November.
Victorian taxpayers will meet half the cost of Woods' $3 million appearance fee.
"I am pleased to be able to return to Melbourne to defend the JB Were Masters," Woods told the newspaper.
"The Australian galleries made last year's event a great experience for all the players and I look forward to playing again."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The visit has been announced as Woods battles to overcome revelations he had multiple extra-marital affairs.
One of his alleged mistresses, American woman Rachel Uchitel, had stayed at Melbourne's Crown Towers Hotel at the same time Woods stayed there during the tournament.
In 2009, more than 106,000 people attended the Masters over its four-day duration, with estimates the coup of attracting Woods to Melbourne pumped an extra $34 million into the local economy.
Victorian Tourism Minister Tim Holding said Woods' appearance last year "smashed all records and I expect the interest in Tiger returning to Melbourne will be huge".

