John Huggan: No change here then

• Fans, what fans?:Tiger Woods ignores spectators in Melbourne. Photograph: Getty Images

This time, such has been the mediocrity of his play, thumbs have gone down more than pulse rates up. And this time, a decidedly cool atmosphere has replaced the warm welcome of 2009.

So it goes these days in the topsy-turvy world of Tiger Woods, the man currently ranked golf's second-best player. Perhaps only one aspect of his not-so triumphant return to the Australian Masters has survived the last 12 months: enticing the 14-time major champion back to defend his last title cost the sponsors, JB Were, and the Victorian state government the same reported $3m (1.9m) appearance fee.

Not that Woods, as per usual, was going to make the mistake of commenting directly on anything of substance or even remotely controversial. No one does blandness quite like Tiger.

"I am just here to defend the title," he said in his pre-tournament press conference. "I am here to play a great golf course and play against a great field and that's how I'm looking at it." Which is not to say that Woods does not earn his money; he does, to the point that it is easy to argue that he is, in fact, under-paid, such is the depth of both his sporting talent and the salacious notoriety that so spectacularly kicked off in this city one year ago. Like it or not, the public loves a good scandal.

• Adam Bland on a run as Tiger Woods is left behind

Still, the return of the Tiger has not been without criticism from opposition MPs looking for ammunition with which to harangue the government before the imminent Victorian state elections. Why, in these troubled times, they have predictably asked, should the hard-pressed taxpayer be coughing up $1.5m on a mere golfer?

The counter argument, of course, is simple economics, at least according to the ruling Labour party. A year ago, before his reputation was shredded forever by an almost endless stream of sexual exploits, Woods' first visit to Australia in more than a decade brought with it crowds over 100,000 and an estimated $34m to the local economy.

But that was then and this is now, chorused the opposition.

"Victorian families are desperately short of hospital beds, police and trains," chipped in the opposition leader, someone called Ted Baillieu. "And taxpayers' money should be spent on these urgent needs rather than appearance fees for golfers."

As ever in the almost exclusively right-wing world of professional golf, however, the needs of "Joe Public" run a distant second to those with the real cash. And even Tiger knows his place in that economic pyramid.One of the world No.2's duties here this past week was to host and conduct a short instructional clinic for a group of high-rolling Chinese businessmen. Held at the ultra-exclusive Capital Golf Club, the event also attracted the owner of Melbourne's Crown Casino, James Packer (son of the late Kerry, of World Series Cricket fame). According to at least one local, Packer junior performs such an outwardly menial duty only for those able and willing to unblinkingly drop at least an annual $200m on his gaming tables.

It is safe to assume then, that this particular gathering of well-heeled Chinese qualified for a bit of blatant and/or shameless sucking-up. Indeed, such is the accumulated wealth of these entrepreneurs, they reputedly play matches amongst themselves for $1m per hole, $1.5m if said hole is won by more than one shot. Want to caddie, Tiger?

Another of Woods' contractual obligations came last Tuesday evening, when he attended a gala dinner held at the aforementioned Crown casino. Seated alongside 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and cricket legend (and well known carouser) Shane Warne, Tiger was curiously interviewed by Mark Nicholas, the former cricketer who now commentates on the game for television.

It was a chat that got off to a decidedly rocky start when Nicholas opened with the barb that Tiger and Warne "shared the same nocturnal habits". Cue awkward silence, until Warne saved the evening by responding, "I think we have a little bit in common (pause)… I love golf." The ensuing laughter then allowed Woods to grin broadly and, sort of anyway, "join-in" the banter.

Thereafter, things proceeded more smoothly, even when Warne described a recent chat with pop-star Sting about the supposed benefits of tantric sex. "Ten hours it lasts," said Warne, wide-eyed. "I have mates who are lucky to last ten minutes."

Perhaps for the best, Tiger was not asked to comment on any of the above, but he surely appreciated the fitting tribute paid him by Ogilvy.

"There are individuals who do parts of the game better than Tiger does, but he is the total package," said the 33-year-old Aussie, who grew up playing the Victoria course where the clubhouse terrace is named for him in recognition of his major championship win. "And over the last nine holes of a tournament when everything is on the line, no one has ever been better."

Still, for all the respect his amazing playing record provokes in others, Woods' performances this year have been less than stellar, even if he has seen some recent improvement.

"I was frustrated," he responded when asked why he was prepared to work through what will be his fourth swing change as a professional.

"I don't like hitting other people's fairways. I've got to know a lot of people in the galleries this year.I've signed a lot of gloves and given away a lot of balls (after hitting spectators]."

Then again, one aspect of the Woods persona has survived intact throughout the dramas of the last 12 months. Despite repeated protestations that he is trying to make himself "a better person", his obvious disdain for the public that funds his lavish lifestyle is still apparent, as is his total contempt for the press covering his on-course exploits.

Apparently that $3m appearance fee doesn't include a contract clause that says Woods must talk to the people who have, in conditions that have often been less than pleasant, turned out to watch him play this week.

It is hard to imagine the great names of the past - men like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, all regular visitors to Australia - behaving in such a boorish manner. While history will accord Woods an appropriate measure of acclaim for a playing record that is second - so far at least - only to Nicklaus, one does wonder what will be written between the lines of a man with such a lack of respect for the game that has given him so much. Oh well.