TIGER WOODS is getting hate mail and says he will accept it to gain greater acceptance for racial minorities in American golf.

The 20 year old half Thai black golfing sensation gave an aggressive news conference at Sydney airport yesterday to announce his arrival for this week's Australian Open.

Woods has been heavily criticised by some in American golf for the in your face nature of a television advertisement he has made for sponsors Nike.

The advert trumpets Woods' achievements and then says: "There are still courses in the United States that I am not allowed to play because of the colour of my skin. I've heard I'm not ready for you. Are you ready for me?"

Woods said the sport had "needed that kick", and he felt he had a leadership job to do on behalf of all minorities.

The young superstar, who signed endorsement deals reportedly worth up to $60 million dollars on turning professional last August, spoke of discrimination he had experienced on and off the golf course.

After answering routine, golf questions, he confirmed a story that he had been tied up in kindergarten because of his race. His father Earl is Afro American and his mother Kutilda is Thai.

Did he have any instances around golf and golf courses? "Oh yeah, many times. I have been kicked off (courses) for just the colour of my skin. I've had hate mail death threats, the whole nine yards."

He still received hate mail despite his enormous popularity and phenomenal success and he regarded it as a sign he was achieving the task he set himself.

"It's part of life, it's part of being in a sport which is predominantly Caucasian," he said. Society is changing into this new era and unfortunately it's going to take time.

Maintaining poise isn't easy in the spotlight he now faces. "It has been difficult at times," acknowledged Woods.