Top names sign up but Lion City still goes hunting Tiger

SINGAPORE, June 27 (Reuters) In marketing speak Tiger Woods puts bums on seats. He sells tickets, he sells advertising and he throws a blinding spotlight on events at which he plays.

Singapore Open organisers know this and a Tiger visit to the Lion City is the big prize they are hunting.

''We would love Tiger to come and play here,'' chairman of the 4m dollar tournament Graham Bell told Reuters yesterday. ''And we are closer to achieving that now than we were a year ago.

''But it is all about logistics and schedules. His schedule is backed up for years.

''I met with his management in Oakmont at the US Open earlier this month. Tiger is an international player and plays at many world-class events. We have demonstrated here that we are a world-class event.'' While there was no suggestion Woods would compete at the next staging of the event -- from Nov. 1-4, 2007 -- Bell believes he is closer than ever to luring the biggest name in golf to the island resort of Sentosa.

''If you said 'do I think he will come and play here one day', then I would have to say yes,'' the Scot smiled at Sentosa Golf Club.

More than 7.80 million dollar has been spent on renovating the course and organisers are offering a record purse of 4m dollar -- up from last year's 3m dollar.

That prize pot and the burgeoning prestige of the event has already attracted a trio of top 10 names.

Adam Scott, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els lead the strongest field yet assembled. World number four Scott is targeting a third straight Singapore Open crown.

REUTERS TB RAI1317