Just days away from another professional comeback at his own tournament in the Bahamas, Woods' worldwide appeal might have dimmed slightly amid an injury-induced fall from grace, but it hasn't been enough to deter Australian golf's biggest powerbrokers.

World No.2 Spieth's love affair with Australia will see him begin his Stonehaven Cup defence at The Australian Golf Club on Thursday - the fourth straight year he has headed to Sydney - but tournament officials won't be caught napping in case he prefers an extended break in 2018.

Health issues permitting, Woods' is one name that is already on the radar despite his inability to mount any form of serious comeback previously.

He is now ranked 1193 in the world and last played tournament golf in February's Dubai Desert Classic, which he withdrew from after the first round due to back spasms.

"I think for everyone he's an amazing story," Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said. "I think if you had Tiger in Australia he would have enormous appeal. He's still Tiger Woods.

"The great thing about Tiger over the length of his career and why he was always a good investment is that he always performed. He always made cuts and he was always in contention and that's what you need from your international players.

"We've had this discussion internally with some people in the golf industry. Someone made the point, 'I don't think I would want Tiger'.

"But there's always interest in Tiger. There's heightened interest in him right now because everyone's dying to see how he's going to play and whether he's going to be the same old Tiger.

"When he was here in the President's Cup year [2011], you could see the crowds moving around him when he was on the range and then when he walked off the range they all followed Tiger. He's still got that level of appeal."

Golf Australia has made no apology of loosening the purse strings to attract some of the sport's biggest names for the national championship amid a backdrop of stagnant prize money, which they hope to increase.

It means they could have the cash to splash on Woods, who arguably wouldn't be able to command the mega appearance fees doled out for golf's once dominant force when he was in his pomp.

Woods last played the Australian Open in 2011 while he was in the country for the President's Cup, which will return to Melbourne in 2019.

World No.1 Dustin Johnson is another name likely to be thrown into the mix along with fan favourite Phil Mickelson and the world's hottest golfer Justin Thomas.

"It would be interesting to see how Australian crowds react and engage with Phil," Pitt said. "He's one and Dustin Johnson is probably one [to be discussed] as the current No.1 in the world and he hits it so far. He's exciting.

"The hottest one at the moment is Justin Thomas. He's playing incredibly well."

Spieth and former world No.1 Jason Day, who will play his first tournament on home soil in four years, headline an Australian Open field that many argue might play second fiddle to next week's Australian PGA.

US Masters hero Sergio Garcia will tee it up on the Gold Coast alongside Adam Scott and Marc Leishman, who will both skip the Australian Open and only play one tournament at home this summer.

Australian Open organisers will put the wheels in motion for Spieth to return for another Stonehaven Cup assault next year at The Lakes straight after this year's tournament if he were to win it for a third time in four visits.

Asked whether he expects Spieth to keep returning year after year, Pitt said: "I don't know, that's the honest answer. He's had a great experience and he's really enjoyed it, loves Australia and that really helps.

"I think the message [is make sure you see him this week] and Jordan at the moment is probably the highest-profile golfer in the world. He's won three different majors and is only one away from the grand slam."