GOLF: Tiger Woods has refused to be drawn into the debate surrounding the Augusta National Golf Club's policy of not allowing female members.

A New York Times editorial on Monday suggested Woods boycott next year's US Masters at Augusta in protest but the defending champion said the issue boiled down to a "difference of opinion".

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I have always said there should be women members but it's up to the membership to decide," Woods said yesterday in Japan, where he is preparing for the Dunlop Phoenix tournament.

"I'm just an honorary member, so I don't have voting rights," he said. "I've stated my opinion in the past but it's definitely a tough issue."

Meanwhile, Jesse Jackson wants golfers other than Woods to take a stand on the issue. "To shift to him (Woods) the burden to end a century of bigotry is unfair," Jackson said. "The PGA ought to take a position. Share the weight of this cross . . . A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."