Golf: First Tee - Money and talk

WHEN MARK O'MEARA teams up with Tiger Woods, his neighbour and practice partner in Florida, to represent the US in the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in November, he will not have to worry about pay for play.

It is understood the American duo will receive $1.5 million for playing in Malaysia with Woods receiving his customary $1m and O'Meara - he's replaced David Duval who prefers not to play at all in the winter - half a million dollars.

Traditionally, money had never been an issue in a tournament whose slogan is "Friendship through golf". Woods will ring in the year 2000 by hosting a World Challenge, from 29 December to 2 January, an event restricted to 12 leading players, including Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and, of course, O'Meara. The winner receives $1m and the player who finishes last $120,000. It is not known if Tiger will pay himself appearance money.