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LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England -- Tiger Woods still plans to play next year's New Zealand Open despite a threat by fellow players to withdraw over the increased cost of ticket prices caused by his appearance fee.

	Woods

Michael Campbell is one of several New Zealanders and Australians who have threatened to withdraw from the event, which Woods is playing for the first time at the suggestion of his New Zealand-born caddie, Steve Williams.

The reported $2 million appearance fee is five times the total prize money. To recoup that, organizers are charging $205 for a weeklong spectator ticket, compared with $20.50 last year.

Woods said he would talk to some players to get a measure of their feelings.

"The players who want to do that, that is their opinion and it is their choice to do whatever they still see as fit for themselves," Woods said Tuesday. "I understand what they are trying to do.

"But we will see what happens. Until I speak with them, I am going to hold my opinion. I am sure when I get a chance to talk with them and hear their viewpoints, then I will probably have a better appreciation of where they are coming from."

He said it would not stop him from going.

"I am looking forward to getting down there and having a lot of fun," Woods said. "I am helping Stevie out. I am going to give some money back to the golf institute in New Zealand."

Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press