Donald to play Australia Masters before Christmas

World No. 1 Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and defending champion Stuart Appleby will headline the Australian Masters, which will be played the week before Christmas at Victoria Golf Club.

Tiger Woods has played the Australian Masters the past two years, winning in 2009 at Kingston Heath when he was No. 1 in the world. That was the last tournament Woods won before his personal life fell apart.

Australasian Tour officials gave the Masters' old date - one week before the Presidents Cup - to the Australian Open, relegating the Masters to Dec. 15-18. The tournament still managed to sign up Donald and Poulter, along with Appleby, who closed with a 65 to win last year.

The Victorian government also said it would extend its agreement with the tournament for three more years.