By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Augusta

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Tiger Woods has re-iterated his belief that Augusta National should allow women to join - but insisted there was nothing he could do about it.

The venue for this week's US Masters has an all-male membership policy, which has caused controversy in the build-up to the first major of the year.

Martha Burk, chairwoman of the National Council of Women's Organisations, plans a high-profile protest on Saturday, although it has been toned down in the wake of the war in Iraq.

The NCWO and Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition have been told they cannot protest directly outside the gates to Augusta National and must instead use a 5.1-acre site around half-a-mile away.

But the debate continues to demand attention despite Woods chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Masters title, and the world number one was again asked his opinion during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Asked if he classed women not being allowed to join a golf club as prejudice against a minority, Woods said: "That's a good question. I've never looked at it that way."

When pressed to expand on that, he continued: "Oh everyone here knows my opinion. Should they become members or should they be members? Yes.

"But you know I don't really have a vote in how they run this golf course and this club."

As a past champion Woods is an honorary member of Augusta, but he stressed that did not count for much when it comes to influencing club policy.

"I think even Jack (Nicklaus) and Arnold (Palmer) being (full) members, I don't think they have as much say around here as people think," the world number one added.

Asked if there should be an expectation on high-profile professional athletes to speak out on social or political issues, Woods added: "I think it's up to them.

"It's up to each individual. Certain athletes have their causes, whatever they may be, and they're very outspoken on that and others aren't.

"We don't ask every single person to be outspoken on every single issue.

"And sometimes just because a person is in the limelight, all of a sudden people have had this need for them to have a voice and an opinion and a 'where you stand?' on certain issues.

"And some people just choose not to."