There has been much flexing of muscles from Tiger Woods (left) and his management group of late, over his value to the USPGA Tour. Essentially it comes down to the rights they may exploit as long as Woods remains a card-carrying member. These, apparently, are limiting the player's freedom to explore untapped markets, such as interactive media.

When the matter came to a head last month, it was argued that the Tour had given Woods the platform to generate his considerable wealth. So, what would happen if he were to relinquish his membership? Not much, it seems.

For a start, he has lifetime exemptions into the US Masters and the USPGA Championship. He can play in the US Open for the next 10 years and in the British Open until he's 65. His major wins make him eligible for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The International for the next five years and his world ranking gets him into four of the five richest tournaments, the WGC events and the Players' Championship. As a non-member he would be allowed seven sponsors' invitations - let's form a queue - and as a winner, he would be eligible for the Mercedes Championship `IT1'. All of which adds up to 18 tournaments, only two fewer than he played in the US this year. Against that background, it could be said that Woods is holding a moderately strong hand.