Tiger Woods says he likes returning to Germany, and the Deutsche Bank SAP Open in particular, because he is looked after so well. In yesterday's pro-am, his partners included Franz Beckenbauer and Boris Becker. Becker also partnered Woods last year but was late and had to catch up with the group after a couple of holes. This time he was on time, but had actually been scheduled to play with Lee Westwood, the defending champion, who had to make do with Sepp Maier instead.There is another reason why Woods is appearing here for the third year running and not in Texas, where he played last week at the Byron Nelson Classic. This week's event honours Ben Hogan, but the Colonial's presenting sponsor is Mastercard, whose credit rating could not be worse with the world No 1.Woods numbers American Express among his main backers and so a cash deal with Deutsche Bank ­ the appearance is thought to have risen to $2m (£1.4m)­ is preferable to helping promote a rival back home.

Westwood, the European No 1, is glad Woods has made another transatlantic trip."There is no resentment about Tiger coming over here," Westwood said. "When the world No 1, holding all four Major titles at once, pitches up at a tournament then you expect a fair amount of attention on him I think we are lucky to have him here. I'd rather play against him than him not be here."I'd like to play against him every week, it would certainly improve my game very quickly. You only have to look at the US Tour and see how quickly Duval and Mickelson have improved just lately.

It is not a coincidence."Westwood may get to play against Woods more often if he goes more to America in the early part of next season, something he is discussing with his wife and manager. The first part of this season was given over to a sabbatical and the birth of his son, Samuel. After playing four tournaments in four months ­ which did not include the Masters ­ the 28-year-old is currently on a run of five events in six weeks.A five-hour session with his coach, Pete Cowen, in his back garden ­ big enough to include a driving range with room to spare ­ seems to have done the trick. "The difference was night and day, a huge improvement, really," he said. "If five hours can do that, if I really buckle down to it, I can make big inroads over the next few weeks." Westwood came to this tournament last year at his lowest ebb, wondering where the next win would come from, yet came from two behind Woods for the first of the six victories that put him top of the Order of Merit."That was my best win of last year," he said.