Tiger Woods has entered the debate over who is the world's current leading sportsman by nominating Michael Schumacher.

Golf's world number one, looking to make this week's HSBC World Match Play at Wentworth his sixth straight tournament victory before he turning his attention to the Ryder Cup, was at courtside in New York on Sunday to witness Roger Federer win his ninth tennis grand slam at the age of just 25.

But it is the long-term success of 37-year-old Schumacher, winner of a record seven Formula One world championships, that Woods believes puts the German ahead of both himself and the Swiss tennis star.

"I have to say Michael for his consistency over the years," said the 30-year-old American on arriving in England.

"He's performed year-in, year-out in a globally-watched sport under immense pressure.

"It's hard to separate yourself in any sport, but it's so much easier to do in an individual sport. There's nobody to rely on - you play well as a individual you are going to win.

"What you are seeing with Roger, myself and Michael is that we have been consistent over the years. You have to bring it each and every time you compete."

With 12 majors already in his career, Woods is second in the all-time list behind Jack Nicklaus' 18, while Federer is sixth in the tennis standings, needing five more slams to catch Pete Sampras.

The two spoke before and after Federer's four-set win at the US Open over Andy Roddick and Woods commented: "It's neat to have a person you can talk to. The things he is dealing with and I am going through are comparable.

"We are a lot of things in common and I think we are going to be friends for a long time."

Four years ago, Woods caused controversy when he said he wanted to win a world championship more than the Ryder Cup.

He is not falling into the same trap this time, however.

Woods is in Europe for three weeks, the Match Play and Ryder Cup being followed by the American Express world championship at The Grove near Watford.

Asked which one he most wanted he replied: "All three events I play in. They are three great weeks right in a row.

"This week is wonderful preparation for the Ryder Cup."

Woods plays compatriot Shaun Micheel - runner-up to him at last month's US PGA championship - in the first round on Thursday.

One person Woods is particularly looking to seeing next week is Darren Clarke, who was handed a Ryder Cup wildcard for a match which takes place less than six weeks after his wife Heather lost her fight with cancer.

Woods, who did not play for the same period following the death of his father in May and missed the cut on his return in the US Open, said: "What Darren has gone through you would not wish on anybody and I think it's just fantastic (he is in the European team).

"He is one of my good friends and to see him picked to play says a lot about what Woosie (captain Ian Woosnam) thinks of Darren as a player.

"It's about the quality of the player you are and the person you are. He earned the right to be on the team.

"Darren, I think, is going to have a huge impact, not just for the Europeans, but for all of us. It's truly remarkable he is going to play and compete and I can't wait to see him and give him a big hug."

The key to winning back the cup, Woods believes, is how the Americans putt and how they play the final hole at the K Club.

"I think we won one match on the 18th two years ago," he said.

"It's about how you putt and how you play the 18th. That one hole turns a lot of matches around. Europe did that at Oakland Hills and hopefully we can putt better and get those matches that go to the 18th.

"There's always determination with each and every team I've been part of. It's about execution."

Despite having the three best in the players in the world - Jim Furyk has just taken the number two spot from Phil Mickelson - Woods believes Europe are favourites.

"We are definitely the underdogs - it seems that is what is needed to win," he said.

Europe have won of the last five in that role.

Having played Ryder Cups at Valderrama and The Belfry, Woods knows what to expect from the paying public in Ireland.

"It's bi-partisan and that's the way it should be" he said.

"You don't normally hear a gallery cheering when a putt is missed, but the crowd is rooting for one of two sides instead of 156 individuals."